All Pat Fitzgerald needed was to see a few weeks worth of film to determine that Ohio State was one of the best teams in the country. Blowing out all six of its opponents was enough to cement the Buckeyes in that category.

Seeing them up close and personal — and taking a 52-3 beating on Friday night — there is no longer any doubt in Fitzgerald’s mind: Ohio State is the best team in the country.

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The Buckeyes dominated Northwestern on Friday night, rolling to a 49-point win to improve to 7-0 on the season. OSU built a 31-3 advantage by halftime and added insurance to the lead in the second half.

Following the contest, Fitzgerald was very complimentary of the Buckeyes. He “tipped his cap” to Ryan Day and company, calling them the best team in America.

“In my opinion, the best team in the country,” Fitzgerald said during his postgame presser. “I thought that before just watching film.”

Fitzgerald also noted that he doesn’t pay much attention to teams outside the B1G, but he still believes Ohio State could beat anyone in the country.

His comment is particularly interesting considering Northwestern has now played both Wisconsin and Ohio State, the two teams that are considered to be the two best in the B1G right now. The Badgers and Buckeyes will meet in Columbus next Saturday in a game that could have College Football Playoff implications.