Ohio State Football’s Smooth Ride to Playoff: Advantage or Drawback?

In the world of college football, few teams attract as much attention as the Ohio State Buckeyes. Heading into the 2025 season, the Buckeyes are in a pretty interesting spot when it comes to their strength of schedule and what it means for their College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes.

With Ohio State off this week and no major opponents until the big Michigan game, it’s tempting to overlook their next few matchups. Still, it’s worth poking around a bit to see how these games compare to past years, both in terms of difficulty and what’s at stake.

Let’s take a look at how their remaining schedule shapes up and what it might mean for the Buckeyes’ path to the CFP. Fans are already buzzing about what’s ahead, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.

Ohio State’s Remaining Schedule: A Historical Perspective

There’s been plenty of talk about the Buckeyes’ 2025 regular-season schedule. They’ve got a week off, then a stretch of games that, on paper, don’t seem too daunting before the Michigan showdown.

But if you dig a little deeper, it’s not as cut and dried as it looks. The upcoming opponents might not be college football royalty, but they’re not exactly walkovers either.

Upcoming Opponents: A Closer Look

Ohio State’s next four games look manageable, but each team has its quirks. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Indiana Hoosiers: Indiana has, now and then, given Ohio State a tough time. There’s always a chance they make things interesting.
• Maryland Terrapins: Maryland flashes potential here and there. If Ohio State isn’t sharp, this could get tricky.
• Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Rutgers hasn’t been a powerhouse lately, but college football is weird—upsets do happen.
• Illinois Fighting Illini: Illinois has played spoiler before. The Buckeyes can’t afford to snooze through this one.

The Importance of Strength of Schedule

Strength of schedule matters a lot when it comes to the CFP. The selection committee looks at more than just wins and losses—they care about who you beat, too.

For Ohio State, even games against teams that aren’t ranked matter. Every matchup could tip the scales, so there’s not much room for error.

Comparing to Previous Seasons

Looking back, Ohio State’s had tougher schedules in other years. But that doesn’t mean this one is a cakewalk.

College football is unpredictable. Sometimes the games that look easy end up being the most stressful.

Impact on CFP Aspirations

Ohio State’s road to the CFP seems pretty straightforward: win every game and they’re in. One slip, though—especially against a so-called weaker team—and things could unravel fast.

The Buckeyes really have to keep their focus. Every week matters, even if the opponent doesn’t look threatening on paper.

Key Factors to Watch

Several things could make or break Ohio State’s run through the rest of the schedule:

• Injury Management: Keeping star players healthy is huge. Injuries can change everything in a heartbeat.
• Consistent Performance: They can’t afford to coast. Playing down to the competition is a recipe for disaster.
• Coaching Adjustments: The staff needs to tweak game plans and stay flexible. Every team brings something different.

Looking Ahead to Michigan

The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is legendary. This year’s game? It’s shaping up to be a monster, with CFP implications all over it.

For the Buckeyes, beating Michigan isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about proving they belong at the top.

Michigan’s Formidable Challenge

Michigan’s been rolling this season. Their offense and defense are both solid, so Ohio State’s got its work cut out.

No one’s expecting an easy win here. It’s probably going to be a battle from start to finish.

Potential Playoff Scenarios

Depending on how the Ohio State-Michigan game shakes out, the CFP picture could get wild. Here are a few ways it could go:

• Ohio State Wins: That would lock them in as a top CFP contender, no question.
• Michigan Wins: Suddenly, Ohio State’s playoff hopes get a lot more complicated.
• Close Game: If it’s a nail-biter, both teams might still have a shot—depends what else happens around the country.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

Ohio State’s heading into the last stretch of their 2025 regular season. Every game left on the schedule feels big, even if they’re not up against the biggest names.

Upsets happen, and strength of schedule still matters. The Buckeyes need to stay sharp if they’re aiming for the College Football Playoff.

If you want a deeper dive into Ohio State’s schedule and playoff hopes, check out the original article.