NCAAF · 10 months ago

Ranking The Ohio State Buckeye’s Potential CFP Opponents

Jake Burkey

Host · Writer

National Championship Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide
An unlikely National Championship scenario, but it's possible, is an Ohio State vs Alabama matchup. It would be the first time the two programs clash in the National Championship since 2021. As mentioned, the Crimson Tide are my dark horse pick for this year's playoffs. If they sneak into the playoffs, Jalen Milroe could lead this team further than expected.

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First Round Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 7 Tennessee
An Ohio State and Tennessee matchup is beginning to look inevitable, and it's shaping up to be at home for the Buckeyes. Both teams' losses are similar, but Ohio State has two wins over teams (No. 3 Penn St, No. 9 Indiana) that are higher ranked than the Volunteers' best win (No. 11 Alabama). I'd watch the SEC title game closely to see how Georgia does against Texas because a Bulldogs' loss could impact Tennessee's ranking.

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Quarterfinals Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 1 Oregon Ducks
Assuming the Oregon Ducks take care of business in the Big Ten Championship game, they will have a first-round bye, setting them up to face the Tennessee and Ohio State winner. This scenario would set up a rematch between two elite programs and an opportunity for the Buckeyes to get redemption after coming up short against the Ducks on the road earlier this season by just one point.
Semifinals Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions
If Penn State can get past Arizona State in the first round, they’ll be up against Heisman front-runner Ashton Jeanty and the Boise State Broncos in the Semifinals. I see the Nittany Lions as the superior team over the Broncos. They will enter a semifinal matchup against the Oregon Ducks or Ohio State/Tennessee if they can contain Jeanty.
Semifinals Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 10 Boise State Broncos
On the flip side, if Penn State can’t contain Ashton Jeanty in the quarterfinals (Assuming they get past Arizona State), then Ohio State would face off against the Broncos in the semis. I see this as an improbable scenario, considering Ohio State would have to hand Oregon their first loss of the season, and Penn State would have to lose against Boise State.
National Championship Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 2 Texas Longhorns
If the Ohio State Buckeyes were to make it this far, they'd have multiple possibilities in who they'd face in the National Championship. The clear favorites on the other side of the bracket are the Texas Longhorns, who are firing on all cylinders right now. However, I wouldn't sleep on the Alabama Crimson Tide as a dark horse in this year's playoffs.
National Championship Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide
An unlikely National Championship scenario, but it's possible, is an Ohio State vs Alabama matchup. It would be the first time the two programs clash in the National Championship since 2021. As mentioned, the Crimson Tide are my dark horse pick for this year's playoffs. If they sneak into the playoffs, Jalen Milroe could lead this team further than expected.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
First Round Matchup: No. 6 Ohio State vs No. 7 Tennessee
An Ohio State and Tennessee matchup is beginning to look inevitable, and it's shaping up to be at home for the Buckeyes. Both teams' losses are similar, but Ohio State has two wins over teams (No. 3 Penn St, No. 9 Indiana) that are higher ranked than the Volunteers' best win (No. 11 Alabama). I'd watch the SEC title game closely to see how Georgia does against Texas because a Bulldogs' loss could impact Tennessee's ranking.

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Ranking The Ohio State Buckeye’s Potential CFP Opponents

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