Kevin Warren proudly held up the Big Ten mantle despite Ohio State’s lopsided loss to Michigan on Saturday, and somehow still declared the Buckeyes deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Warren spoke with ESPN’s Pete Thamel and said it was a clear choice among America’s top 4 teams.

“One hundred percent,” Warren told ESPN on Saturday. “Clearly, Michigan and Ohio State are 2 of the best 4 teams in the country, and I think today proved it. Great football game. Epic football game. Without a doubt, I think they are clearly two of the best football teams in the country.”

The Big Ten commissioner can be forgiven for having rose-colored glasses toward the B1G, but the reality is much of the Buckeyes’ fate will be determined by the rest of the results Saturday and next week, most notably Southern Cal against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish lost to Ohio State to open the season, however, the Buckeyes also struggled against Northwestern and Maryland.

Warren doubled down.

“This was a really good football game from start to finish,” Warren said, even after Michigan outscored Ohio State 21-3 in the fourth quarter. “These are 2 powerhouse teams and clearly 2 of the top 4 teams in all of college football. You look at all the games you watch. Put even the rankings to the side. If you ask yourself, who are the teams that are better than these 2 football teams in the country? These are 2 of the four best teams in the country. By far.”