Ohio State Football: What the Buckeyes Should Be Thankful for in 2014

Thanksgiving is a time for people to reflect on the good things in their lives, and for Ohio State fans, there are a number of reasons to be incredibly grateful. 

Since losing in a shocking 35-21 upset to Virginia Tech in Week 2, Urban Meyer has the Buckeyes playing as well as any team in the country. Ohio State rose to No. 6 in the latest playoff rankings after back-to-back road wins over Michigan State and Minnesota. Last Saturday, a 42-27 victory against Indiana clinched the Big Ten East Division for the Buckeyes, assuring Meyer's squad a spot in the conference title game. 

As Ohio State gets ready to host Michigan for its regular-season finale, here are five things the Buckeyes should be thankful for. 

Urban Meyer and Good Coaching

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Ohio State was on the brink of dark times after Jim Tressel's fall from grace in 2011. With interim head coach Luke Fickell at the helm, the Buckeyes looked lost—producing their first losing season since 1988.

That all changed when Ohio State hired Urban Meyer. Under his direction, the Buckeyes ripped off 24 consecutive victories, coming just one game short of playing for a national title a season ago. With the help of a solid coaching staff, Meyer built an explosive offense that rewrote Ohio State's history book.

But what Ohio State has done with this year's team is nothing short of brilliant. The Buckeyes were replacing the heart and soul of last year's squad after losing four starting offensive linemen, leading rusher Carlos Hyde, leading receiver Corey Brown, the irreplaceable Braxton Miller and their two best defenders in Ryan Shazier and Bradley Roby.

Meyer retooled the offense to showcase Ohio State's bevy of playmakers on the perimeter. Offensive line coach Ed Warinner has turned a group of inexperienced players into a cohesive, surging unit. New co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash has the Buckeyes playing much better defensively, especially in the secondary. 

Meyer and his staff have done fantastic work this season.

Elite Recruiting

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Ohio State recruited well when Jim Tressel was in Columbus, but Urban Meyer's national approach changed things dramatically for the Buckeyes.

For three consecutive years, Meyer has signed the Big Ten's best class—all of which ranked fifth or better nationally—and he's on pace to do that again this February. 

Ohio State's current class boasts 22 members, highlighted by 5-star linebacker Justin Hilliard and 4-star dual-threat quarterback Torrance Gibson. The Buckeyes are still in the hunt for players such as 5-star running back Damien Harris and 4-star wide receiver Lawrence Cager. 

Ohio State's superior recruiting is starting to show on the field. The Buckeyes have only lost one game to a Big Ten opponent since Meyer took over in Columbus, going 23-1 against league members since 2012. 

And with the way Meyer is recruiting, it doesn't appear as though that domination will end anytime soon.

J.T. Barrett

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Where would Ohio State be without its star redshirt freshman signal-caller?

During the offseason, the Buckeyes were pegged as a one of a handful of teams expected to compete for a national title. But when Braxton Miller was lost for the year after reinjuring his shoulder in fall camp, Ohio State's championship hopes took a huge hit.

Barrett wasn't ready to let the Buckeyes slip out of the picture, though.

Since falling at home to Virginia Tech, Barrett has been absolutely sensational. He needed just 11 games to break school records for passing touchdowns, total touchdowns and total offense in a single season, and his play has vaulted him into the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Without Barrett, Ohio State would have taken a big step back in Miller's absence. With him behind center, not only do the Buckeyes have a legitimate shot at this year's playoff, but they're also set at the position for the foreseeable future.

The College Football Playoff

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Ohio State should be incredibly thankful for the College Football Playoff.

If the BCS system were still in place, the Buckeyes' chances of competing for a national title would have bottomed out after their Week 2 loss to Virginia Tech. But with the new playoff system, four teams will be able to enter postseason play with a chance to win it all. 

Meyer has Ohio State playing lights-out, but the computer rankings that produced college football's two best teams for the BCS title game would not have been kind to this year's Buckeyes. With the 12-member selection committee evaluating teams on a weekly basis, Ohio State has a chance to make up ground it wouldn't have been able to in years past. 

Changing Perceptions

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Another factor in Ohio State's surging playoff prospects is the changing perception of the Big Ten as a conference. 

Sure, no one is confusing the league with the SEC, but the Big Ten is getting respect from the College Football Playoff selection committee. That much became clear in last week's rankings, when five of the league's 14 members found themselves in the Top 25. 

If the Buckeyes can beat Michigan, they're hoping to face a Wisconsin team that has a chance to crack the Top 10 if it can beat Minnesota soundly this Saturday. That would give Ohio State the opportunity to flex its muscle against another respected team, and it could push the Buckeyes over the hump and into the College Football Playoff. 

All recruiting rankings via 247Sports. All stats via NCAA.com.

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.