Coming out of a 49-28 win over Clemson, Ohio State looked like a team that could potentially challenge Alabama. On Jan. 11, however, the Crimson Tide showed that the Buckeyes still have a long way to go. As is the case so often in Alabama games, the game was close at the start before Nick Saban’s squad mounted a multi-score lead that was too much overcome.

The 247Sports Team Talent Composite ranked Alabama No. 2 entering the 2020 season with Ohio State at No. 3. The Tide, however, was better by 28 points on the field in Miami Gardens.

OSU coach Ryan Day was asked to assess the “gap” between the two programs during a press conference held Friday. Day focused on development, pointing out that it was important the Buckeyes got to play a 2020 season.

“The gap is a lot closer than if we had not played a season,” Day told reporters. “If Alabama had gone through this whole season and we had not played a season, the gap would be really hard to catch.”

Both the Tide and Buckeyes will be replacing some key contributors from the 2020 roster. It will be interesting to see how the two perennial contenders measure up next time they meet on the gridiron.