Embrace Debate: Was Ezekiel Elliott’s “85 Yards Through the Heart of the South” or Jack Sawyer’s “Strip 6” The Better Play In Ohio State History?

So we have another week until the National Championship (our 5th time gearing up for one since the year 2002) and Ohio State fans have taken to the internet streets to determine where the Jack Sawyer "Strip 6" falls in the long line of great plays in Buckeye football history. In fact, the current debate is whether it is ahead or behind the other College Football Semifinal play that everyone reminisces over, Ezekiel Elliott's "85 Yards Through The Heart of The South". Here's how I'd break it down:

Zeke:

We got the ball back up 6, on our own 5 yard line, with 5 min to go. We had zero momentum whatsoever, gaining negative yards in the 4th quarter and not having had a 1st down since the 8 minute mark in the 3rd. We NEEDED to kill some clock. We got one very tough 1st down on third and short from Cardale, and then with about 3:30 left on a 1st and 10, Zeke took it through the Heart of the South. 

Pros for this play include that Alabama was substantially better than Texas, was the #1 team in the country, had a loaded roster full of pros, and had a coaching staff of Saban, Kirby, Kiffin, Napier, and Cristobal. The nickname of the play, and the lore of the opponent in the midst of their dynasty, in a game we were supposed to lose, gives this one a ton of extra juice. Plus, we went on to win the title….

Sawyer:

4th and Goal from the 8 (but it must be noted that it was just 1st and goal from the 1). Pros of this play include the fact that it's probably more likely the Buckeyes lose this game than losing the Bama game if Zeke doesn't house it from 85 out. We just needed first downs there. We needed a stop here or we would be going to OT (could've scored too…or turned it over and lost). I would also say that Jack made the entire play by himself. Zeke went untouched for the score….but Jack made their tackle miss, stripped the QB, scooped it himself, and took it to the house.

It also must be factored in who Jack is. Senior. Captain. From Columbus. Gave up the NFL to come back for this year. And dealing with national criticism for having pride in his school. 

I'll say this (and I say it very eloquently in the video above): right now it's Zeke. Ask me again on January 21st and I may have a different answer, but right now, Zeke gets the nod because the team went on to win the National Championship. But if this Ohio State team goes on to win it all, I do think I'll put Jack above Zeke. For what it's worth, I have them at #2 and #3 since the turn of the century (blog coming tomorrow).