Ohio State’s Next Opponent Revealed: College Football Playoff Bracket Updates

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been riding a wave of emotions lately. After a crushing loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship, Ohio State waited anxiously for their College Football Playoff (CFP) fate.

Despite that defeat, the Buckeyes still landed the No. 2 spot in the CFP rankings. They’ll get a first-round bye, which is a solid consolation prize, all things considered.

This post dives into what Ohio State’s ranking actually means, what’s next, and how the broader playoff picture looks right now.

Ohio State’s Journey to the College Football Playoff

Ohio State’s season? Bit of a rollercoaster. They started strong, hanging onto the No. 1 spot in every CFP poll up until that loss to Indiana.

The Big Ten Championship really threw a wrench into things. The Buckeyes’ offense sputtered, converting just 4 of 11 third downs and scraping together only 2.2 yards per carry. Two red-zone misfires didn’t help their cause either.

Ohio State’s Offensive Struggles

The offensive line has been shaky all year. In the championship, backup quarterback Devin Brown went down, and Lincoln Kienholz, the next man up, just couldn’t keep up with Indiana’s defense.

Protection broke down. Indiana racked up nine tackles for loss, and the Buckeyes couldn’t get much going on the ground or through the air.

Then there’s the Brian Hartline situation. He was just named South Florida’s head coach, but for now, he’s sticking around as offensive coordinator. Ryan Day says Hartline’s not changing anything up, emphasizing how much the next few weeks matter.

College Football Playoff Bracket and Key Matchups

The CFP bracket is set. Ohio State, sitting at No. 2, will play the winner of No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami.

• No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama – Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. on ABC
• No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami – Saturday, Dec. 20 at noon on ABC
• No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane – Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. on TNT
• No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison – Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on TNT

The quarterfinals are coming up on December 31 and January 1. Semifinals will follow on January 8 and 9, and then the national championship wraps things up on January 19.

Ohio State’s Path Forward

The defense has been a bright spot, honestly. They held Indiana to just 13 points in the Big Ten Championship, which is no small feat.

Statistically, Ohio State’s defense is one of the best in the FBS, giving up a stingy 213.5 yards per game. That kind of performance is going to be huge in the CFP.

Even with the offense struggling, the Buckeyes are still in the mix for the national title. BetMGM has them at +225 odds, just ahead of Indiana (+300) and Georgia (+750).

How they respond to adversity and lean on that defense could make all the difference in their championship run.

Historical Context and Previous Performances

Ohio State has a complicated history in the Cotton Bowl. Their last trip, in 2023, ended in a frustrating 14-3 loss to Missouri.

But they’ve also had some memorable wins—like beating Texas A&M 28-12 in 1987 and rolling past Southern California 24-7 in 2017. So, it’s a mixed bag.

Key Players to Watch

Several guys have stepped up this season. Julian Sayin’s thrown for 3,323 yards, which is no joke.

Bo Jackson has piled up 1,035 rushing yards, and Jeremiah Smith leads the receivers with 1,086. Sonny Styles has been a rock on defense, notching 81 tackles.

Caleb Downs and Jermaine Matthews have chipped in with two interceptions each in the secondary. Their performances could tip the scales in the Buckeyes’ favor in the CFP.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

Ohio State’s journey to the College Football Playoff has had its share of ups and downs. Even after the recent loss in the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes managed to lock in a solid spot in the CFP bracket.

They’ve got a first-round bye, which is no small thing. Their defense has looked sharp—there’s a real chance here for a serious playoff run.

Looking ahead, the Buckeyes need to iron out some issues on offense. The defense is a strong point, so it’s about finding the right balance and, honestly, just making the most of these next few weeks to prep.

Coaches will be busy, no doubt. It’s all about pulling together and figuring out the best plan to keep moving forward.

For more detailed updates and live coverage of the College Football Playoff bracket, check out the Columbus Dispatch. If you’re following along, there’s bound to be more twists as the Buckeyes chase that national title.