Ohio State’s 31-point loss to Iowa was ultimately the deciding factor for the College Football Playoff selection committee. It was too big of an eyesore to put the Buckeyes in the Final Four, therefore slipping Alabama into that last spot.

Alabama defensive back — and one of the top defenders in the country — Minkah Fitzpatrick, couldn’t help but be gracious towards the Hawkeyes for helping get the Crimson Tide back into the Playoff.

According to Charlie Potter of 247Sports, Fitzpatrick thanked Iowa star linebacker Josey Jewell for the victory. He didn’t say to much, but just enough to get the message across.

“I just said, ‘Thank you for beating up on Ohio State,'” Fitzpatrick told Potter.

Iowa defeated Ohio State 55-24 in early November, handing the Buckeyes their second lost of the season and one of the ugliest defeats of the Urban Meyer era. It cost the Buckeyes, the B1G champions, a chance to compete in their third College Football Playoff in four seasons.

Fitzpatrick knows if it weren’t for Iowa, Alabama would probably would be on the outside looking in right now. It’s only fair that he show a little gratitude to Jewell and the Hawkeyes.