Ohio State’s Final Five Games: A Playoff Readiness Test

The Ohio State Buckeyes are sitting at number one right now. They’ve looked pretty dominant all season, honestly.

But with just five games left, there’s some chatter about whether their remaining schedule will really get them ready for the College Football Playoff. It’s a mix—some opponents are struggling, but there’s one big rival lurking at the end.

The Buckeyes’ Dominant Performance Against Wisconsin

The moment Ohio State took the field at Camp Randall, you could tell Wisconsin was in trouble. The Buckeyes pitched their second shutout of the year, rolling over the Badgers 34-0.

Sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin had a night to remember, hitting 36 of 42 passes for 393 yards and four touchdowns. The offense piled up 491 yards, while the defense held Wisconsin to just 144 total yards. Wisconsin managed only 45 yards passing—yikes.

Upcoming Opponents: A Mixed Bag

Looking ahead, the Buckeyes’ next five games seem, well, pretty manageable on paper. That could be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. Maybe it’s too easy? Or maybe it’s just what they need.

Penn State Nittany Lions

First up is Penn State. They started the year with big playoff dreams but have hit a rough patch—four straight losses, their head coach James Franklin is out, and quarterback Drew Allar is done for the season.

Penn State usually puts up a fight, but right now, it’s hard to see them giving Ohio State much trouble.

Purdue Boilermakers

After Penn State, it’s Purdue. They’re also on a four-game skid, including losses to Notre Dame and Illinois.

Their latest game was a 19-0 loss to Northwestern, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. It’s tough to imagine Purdue keeping up with the Buckeyes.

UCLA Bruins

UCLA feels like a wild card. They’ve shuffled their coaching staff and suddenly rattled off three wins in a row.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava seems to be finding his groove, so maybe this is the trap game? It’s hard to say, but I wouldn’t sleep on them entirely.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Second-to-last is Rutgers, who are also stuck in a four-game losing streak. They’ve been blown out by both Washington and Oregon.

Honestly, this one looks like a pretty safe bet for Ohio State.

Michigan Wolverines

Then there’s Michigan. This is the big one—no question about it. Last year, Michigan pulled off the upset even though Ohio State was heavily favored.

Now, the Wolverines are 5-2 after beating Washington 24-7. Rivalry games are always unpredictable, and this one should be a battle.

Potential Implications for the College Football Playoff

Ohio State’s schedule down the stretch is unusual. Most of the teams left (other than Michigan) aren’t exactly playoff-caliber.

That could leave the Buckeyes a little undercooked for the playoff grind. But if they slip up against any of these teams, their playoff seeding could take a real hit.

Strength of Schedule Concerns

Four of the next five opponents have losing records, and that’s raising some eyebrows. If Ohio State wants to prove they’re ready, they’ll need to show up big against Michigan.

The Importance of Staying Undefeated

Staying undefeated heading into Michigan is absolutely crucial. Drop a game before then, and the playoff picture gets a lot murkier.

The Buckeyes can’t afford to let their guard down, even if the matchups look easy on paper.

Conclusion

Ohio State’s road to the College Football Playoff is packed with both promise and uncertainty. Their blowout win over Wisconsin? Impressive, sure, but there’s a lingering question about whether their schedule is actually preparing them for what’s next.

They’ve got Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, and of course, that huge showdown with Michigan still to come. Those games will really show us if they’re playoff-ready—or just coasting on an easy run.

Curious for a deeper dive? Check out the full story on Sports Illustrated.