How about Meyer and OSU, never going under center and gnashing Bamako for most yards on the ground ever given up by a Saban team.
From Saban's point of view, was this OSU offensive scheme to be expected? During the course of the prior 13 OSU games, did OSU use different offensive looks? If so, than what did Saban have to prepare his defense to see, one offense or a multi threat offense? The fact that OSU did it all from no snaps under center may have been a surprise to the defense. When an OSU opponent prepares, they would have to prepare for different schemes and burning valuable practice time to prepare for many variations, when an OHIO opponent prepares, what can they expect with 99.9% certainty?
Not going under center could have cost OSU a crack at the National title. Having to take 3pts when the ball was on the half yard line when play 1 from the gun results in a botched exchange is reason enough to have the ability to go under center especially with a 250lb QB to just push it in.
Additionally, having a 250lb QB is deception that OHIO could try. OHIO could run a series of Wildcat with a former running back turned beefed up linebacker taking the direct snap and smashing the defense for a bit.