It started with some blowouts, ended with some nailbiters and gave fans plenty to look forward to in future editions.

Ohio State came out on top in the national championship on Monday, outlasting a late Notre Dame comeback push to win 34-23. The game brought an end to the first edition of the expanded College Football Playoff, which features 12 teams vying for the title instead of four.

There have been performances throughout the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff that should remind us all that players want to play on the biggest stages and at the biggest moments.  In an age where the prevalent theme of December and January in the sport is complaining about who isn't playing -- opt-outs of the full-game and halftime variety -- it is enlightening to dig into who is and what they have to go through to suit up.