Ohio State’s hopes for a Big Ten championship took a hit after their loss to Michigan, but there’s still a silver lining for Buckeye fans. Despite the setback, Ohio State (10-2) is poised to make a splash in the new 12-team College Football Playoff format. Currently sitting at No. 6 in the latest CFP rankings, the Buckeyes could potentially host a first-round playoff game, depending on the outcomes of the upcoming conference championship games.
Ohio State’s playoff scenarios
As the playoff picture begins to take shape, several scenarios could impact Ohio State’s seeding. The Buckeyes are on track to be an at-large team from the Big Ten, alongside top contenders like No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State, who will clash in the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday. Additionally, No. 9 Indiana is also in contention to be the fourth Big Ten representative in the College Football Playoff.
Oregon wins Big Ten championship game
If Oregon secures the Big Ten championship with a 13-0 record, they would become the No. 1 overall seed. But what happens to Penn State? If they fall to Oregon, would they drop behind Ohio State? Given that Ohio State defeated the Nittany Lions 20-13 at Beaver Stadium on November 2, it stands to reason that Penn State (11-2) could slide behind the Buckeyes. However, the committee might consider the close nature of the game as an extra data point. Regardless, both teams would likely host first-round playoff games, but the focus remains on their paths moving forward.
Penn State wins Big Ten championship game
Conversely, if Penn State triumphs over Oregon, they would take the No. 1 seed, pushing the Ducks down to No. 5. In this scenario, Ohio State would maintain its current position, as the two teams ahead of them would merely swap places in the bracket.
Georgia loses SEC championship game
Another twist could occur if Georgia, currently ranked No. 5 and the No. 7 seed, loses to No. 2 Texas in the SEC championship game. This would leave the Bulldogs with three losses, likely dropping them behind Ohio State in the rankings and elevating the Buckeyes to the No. 7 seed.
Texas loses SEC championship game
On the other hand, if Texas were to lose, they would not fall behind Ohio State, even if both teams end up with two losses. Texas boasts a significant victory over Michigan, winning 31-12, while Ohio State suffered a narrow 13-10 defeat to the Wolverines. This head-to-head result could play a crucial role in the committee’s decision-making.
Ohio State’s position in the rankings has been a topic of discussion among committee members. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, who chairs the College Football Playoff committee, noted the competitive nature of the debate. “It was a great conversation, both of them having very strong offenses and very strong defenses,” he said. “The outcome of the vote was really close in terms of where they fell. But the outcome of the vote had Georgia at No. 5 and Ohio State at No. 6.”
Will Ohio State stay ahead of Tennessee in the CFP rankings?
With Ohio State currently at No. 6, the question arises: can they maintain their lead over Tennessee, who sits at No. 7? The rankings are subject to change, but since neither team is playing this weekend, it seems unlikely that Tennessee will leapfrog the Buckeyes.
Interestingly, while the Vols are ranked ahead of Ohio State in the AP Top 25, the committee’s decision reflected a different view. Ohio State’s resume includes a 2-1 record against top-10 teams, with notable victories over Indiana and Penn State. “One of their two losses is to the No. 1 team in the country and then obviously the loss to Michigan last week,” Manuel pointed out.
Tennessee, on the other hand, has faced tough opponents, suffering losses to Arkansas and No. 5 Georgia. Manuel emphasized the close nature of the deliberations regarding both teams, which ultimately resulted in Ohio State being ranked ahead of Tennessee.
College Football Playoff bracket 2024
Looking ahead, the Buckeyes are projected to enter the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, with a potential first-round matchup against No. 7 Tennessee. It’s worth noting that these two teams have only faced each other once, back in the 1996 Citrus Bowl, where the Volunteers emerged victorious 20-14, led by sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, featured 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George.
As the College Football Playoff selection weekend approaches, Ohio State fans have plenty to be excited about. The Buckeyes may have lost The Game, but their journey is far from over. With the potential for a home playoff game and a chance to make a deep run, the Buckeyes are still in the mix, ready to prove their mettle on the national stage. What will the next chapter hold for Ohio State? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the excitement is just beginning!
