The Ohio State Buckeyes debuted as the No. 2 team in the initial College Football Playoff rankings which were released Tuesday evening for the first time in the 12-team format.

The Buckeyes, whose only loss this season came by a point on the road to the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, have all the elements to contend for a national championship this season under coach- chef Ryan Day.

Urban Meyer, who won the 2014 national championship as head coach in Columbus, praised the program led by his former offensive coordinator in Day. Meyer believes the Buckeyes have a good chance of winning the title for one reason: physicality.

“The most physical team will win the national championship” Meyer said this week. “I used to tell our players this, the team that hits the hardest will win the national title. It’s historic. I mean, it’s time tested. This is what is happening. At Ohio State, there were concerns. I have no more worries. I saw what I saw. We were live there. It was the best four-minute drill I can remember (against Penn State).”

Fresh off a 20-13 road win over then-No. 3 Penn State last Saturday, the 7-1 Buckeyes host Purdue this weekend.