Ohio State’s Next Opponent in College Football Playoff Revealed
Ohio State University just grabbed the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. The selection committee announced their final rankings on December 7.
The Buckeyes had a flawless regular season, but fell from the top spot after losing to unbeaten Indiana in the Big Ten championship game. That loss stung, sure, but it didn’t throw them off course.
Under the new straight seeding model, Ohio State gets a bye to the quarterfinals. This model doesn’t automatically hand the top four seeds to conference champs anymore.
With this setup, the Buckeyes seem to have a smoother road ahead. They’re in a pretty good spot, all things considered.
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Ohio State’s Journey to the Playoffs
The Buckeyes put together an impressive run this season. Their regular season was spotless until Indiana tripped them up in the conference title game.
That drop to the No. 2 seed was tough, but Ohio State still looks dangerous. Their offense and defense have both been clicking.
Selection Committee’s Decision
The committee’s choice to bump Ohio State ahead of Georgia—even though Georgia won the SEC—raised a few eyebrows. Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas’s athletic director and the committee chair, pointed to Ohio State’s strong stats on both sides of the ball as the deciding factor.
It seems the committee is weighing team performance more than just win-loss records this year. Not everyone agrees, but that’s where things landed.
Upcoming Matches and Potential Challenges
Ohio State is headed to the Cotton Bowl for their quarterfinal game on December 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They’ll face whoever wins between No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 10 Miami.
If things go as predicted, Texas A&M could be their opponent. The Aggies were unbeaten until Texas upset them in the final week.
Quarterfinals and Beyond
A matchup with Texas A&M wouldn’t be easy, especially since it’s practically a home game for the Aggies. Still, Ohio State’s playoff experience and their bounce-back after last year’s disappointment might make the difference.
If they get past the quarterfinals, they’ll dodge Georgia in Atlanta. Instead, a potential semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl out in Arizona awaits.
Key Dates and Venues
The playoff schedule breaks down like this:
- First round: December 19 and 20
- Quarterfinals: December 31 and January 1
- Semifinals: January 8 and 9
- National championship: January 19
Ohio State’s quarterfinal in the Cotton Bowl kicks off December 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Arlington. Semifinals come in early January, and the national title game is set for January 19.
Conclusion
Ohio State’s journey to the College Football Playoff has been a wild ride. Highs, lows, and everything in between—it’s never boring with the Buckeyes.
The committee put them at No. 2, even after that Big Ten championship stumble. That says a lot about how much respect this team still commands.
With a bye straight to the quarterfinals, things could line up nicely. If you’re an Ohio State fan, it’s hard not to feel the anticipation building.
For more details on how the playoff is shaping up, check out the full article on the Columbus Dispatch.
