Ohio State’s Next Playoff Opponent and Updated 2025 Schedule Revealed
The Ohio State Buckeyes are rolling into the 2025 College Football Playoff with sky-high expectations. After a dominant regular season, they’ve clinched a first-round bye and are set to start their playoff run in the quarterfinals.
This post takes a look at Ohio State’s playoff prospects, the full playoff bracket, and what fans might see as the Buckeyes chase another national title. There’s a real buzz around Columbus right now, and honestly, who can blame them?
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Ohio State’s Dominant Regular Season
Ohio State had a phenomenal run this year, looking pretty much unstoppable most Saturdays. Rarely did anyone really challenge them, and their first-round bye says a lot about how well they’ve played.
They’ll skip the opening round and jump straight into the quarterfinals. That’s no small feat, and it’s got fans dreaming big.
Key Highlights of the Season
Several things pushed Ohio State to the top this season:
- Strong Offense: Week after week, the Buckeyes’ offense just kept piling on the points.
- Solid Defense: Their defense shut down opponents, rarely letting anyone get comfortable.
- Coaching Excellence: Ryan Day’s leadership and play-calling were huge factors in the team’s success.
College Football Playoff Bracket Overview
The 2025 playoff bracket is locked in, and Ohio State lands as the No. 2 seed. They’ll take on the winner of the 7-10 matchup: Texas A&M or Miami.
First-Round Matchups
The first round brings some pretty interesting games:
- No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama: This one could go either way, honestly. Both teams have a lot to prove.
- No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami: Whoever wins here gets the unenviable task of facing Ohio State next.
- No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane: Ole Miss is the favorite, but Tulane’s scrappy enough to make it interesting.
- No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison: Oregon’s got the edge, but James Madison is hungry for an upset.
Quarterfinals and Beyond
Ohio State’s playoff journey officially starts December 31st in the Cotton Bowl. They’ll play the winner of Texas A&M vs. Miami, and that’s sure to be a game with plenty of nerves and excitement.
The quarterfinals are always wild—every team’s got something to prove, and there’s no room for mistakes now.
Quarterfinal Matchups
Here’s how the quarterfinals are shaping up:
- No. 2 Ohio State vs. TBD: The Buckeyes play at 7:30 p.m. ET on December 31st. Their opponent? Still waiting to see who survives the Texas A&M and Miami showdown.
- No. 4 Texas Tech vs. TBD: Texas Tech gets their turn January 1st at noon. Their opponent’s still up in the air until the dust settles from round one.
- No. 1 Indiana vs. TBD: Indiana’s quarterfinal is set for January 1st at 4 p.m. ET. Could be a trap game, who knows?
- No. 3 Georgia vs. TBD: Georgia plays later that night, January 1st at 8 p.m. ET. Another heavyweight waiting in the wings.
Semifinals and National Championship
The semifinals kick off January 8th and 9th, with two games lined up each day. Winners move on to the National Championship, scheduled for January 19th at 7:30 p.m. ET.
What to Expect in the Semifinals
Semifinal games are always intense—usually the best football of the year. If Ohio State makes it through the quarters, they’ll be right in the thick of it as a top contender.
National Championship Game
The big one. The National Championship is where legends are made, and there’s no doubt Ohio State’s got the roster and momentum to make a serious run at the title this year. Will they get it done? That’s the question on everyone’s mind.
Conclusion
With the 2025 College Football Playoff just around the corner, Ohio State fans are buzzing. A dominant regular season is in the books, and the Buckeyes have locked in a first-round bye.
They’re in a strong spot heading into the postseason. The path to the National Championship? It won’t be easy, but there’s plenty of talent, coaching smarts, and grit on this team.
Curious about the full schedule or the playoff bracket? Check out the details in the Sporting News article.
