It was a fluke because OSU was playing with a second string QB who was starting his second game. Brand new offensive line. New players across the board. I don't see how you can judge a team based on the second game of the season.
Alabama didn't play exceptionally poor, they just played like they normally do and got beat. I think if they play again Ohio State wins again. They certainly weren't unmotivated.
If you're going to say every time they win a big game it's a fluke, then what's the point? How can you ever recognize whether a team is good or not if their good wins are all flukes? There's no fluke when you can still win games with a 3rd string QB. Or run all over the #1 defense in the country.
Ohio state beat Michigan state, who at one point was handily beating Oregon on the road and who woke up and decided to beat dumb ass Baylor. They crushed Wisconsin who ran all over Auburn.
They're good. One of the top 5 teams in the country. Probably 1 or 2 on any given day. It's not a fluke. And if they beat Oregon it's not a fluke either.
If Oregon comes into the game and "doesn't play to their potential" whatever that means, than that means they are the inferior team, because they failed in preparation. It's not just about what you do on the field of play, but how you prepare too.