College Football Playoff: Buckeyes Have a Chance?

The Ohio State Buckeyes had a rare second bye week on Saturday while some of the top ranked teams picked each other off. The Buckeyes have not been able to gain enough momentum in the AP Poll, following their loss to Virginia Tech, to get even into the Top 10 much less talk of the College Football Playoff. They currently sit ranked #13.

It is important to remember that the polls no longer mean anything, but at this point they are the only ranking system we have. The College Football Selection Committee could see things far different than the voters. With the polls having little meaning it is fair to guess that voters spend a little less time trying to figure out where teams should be ranked. Likely these polls will adjust to look similar to the rankings put out by the Committee, with the first one being released on October 28th.

So with the NCAA instituting a College Football Playoff do the Buckeyes stand a chance of getting in? Sure but they will need some help.

First they obviously must win all of their games. While the Committee may look at things differently than voters the Big 10, and the Buckeyes in particular, have a stigma attached to them that won’t easily be erased. That means beating current #8 Michigan State up in Michigan as well as winning the Big 10 Championship Game.

After that the Buckeyes will need some help to get into the College Football Playoff. We will take a look at the rest of the NCAA schedule for games that Top 15 teams could possibly lose, therein helping the Buckeyes. Starting with this week, Week 8:

Week 8

Florida State Versus Notre Dame – Two undefeated teams, both ranked in the Top 5. Whichever team loses will likely be ranked above the Scarlet and Grey.

Baylor Versus West Virginia – Baylor is coming off a big win over TCU and now face off with Big 12 opponent West Virginia. WV isn’t a top flight team but they could be a trap game for Baylor.

Alabama Versus Texas A&M – A&M has two losses already but still was considered a top flight team earlier in the season. Bama is a team that would likely get the vote over OSU if both teams end with one loss. An A&M win would be huge.

Oklahoma Versus Kansas Sate – K State is ranked #14 and could give Oklahoma a good game knocking the #11 Sooners down to two losses.

TCU Versus Oklahoma State – OK State is 15th in the country while TCU sits just above the Buckeyes. One of these competitors will be out of the race after this week.

After One Week – That quickly the Buckeyes could pass up to five opponents all the way up to #8. It is unlikely, as one loss Baylor and either FSU or Notre Dame, would likely still be ranked above the Buckeyes. This first week gives you a good idea how quickly things could turn for OSU.

Week 9

Ole Miss Versus LSU – LSU has not played up to standards this year, and are currently unranked. However they still could give Ole Miss problems especially if they overlook the Tigers

Slows Down – After the first week with 5 games, only one this week and even that is a bit of a stretch.

Week 10

Ole Miss Versus Auburn – This is the game that could lead Ole Miss to overlook LSU. Auburn, with one loss, is ranked 6th currently. A second loss should drop them below Ohio State. A loss for Ole Miss, a second one if LSU gets the upset, would all but dash their hopes.

Oregon Versus Stanford – Oregon is ranked 9th currently and would face off here with their kryptonite in Stanford. The Cardinal has had the Ducks number and could do the Buckeyes a favor here.

Kansas State Versus Oklahoma State – Either or both of these teams will likely be out of the Top 15 by this point. If not one more will be gone after this game.

Buckeyes Fans Getting Excited – While only three games, they all create another chance for the Buckeyes to move up. The Buckeyes are going to want as many two loss teams as possible as they are unlikely to pass up one loss teams from the SEC or Pac 12.

Week 11

Buckeyes Versus Spartans – The lone difficult game on Ohio State’s schedule is here. A huge night game that the Buckeyes have to win.

Baylor Versus Oklahoma – Two teams that have tough other games before this and then have to face off. One or both will already have another loss by this point. A two loss Oklahoma team beating a one loss Baylor team would be perfect.

Notre Dame Versus Arizona State – The Fighting Irish have a tough game this week then a few weeks later face the Sun Devils. This is a tricky game as a big win by Arizona State could propel the currently 17th ranked team over the Buckeyes.

Auburn Versus Texas A&M – If it wasn’t clear, it is now: The SEC schedule is tough. Another game that will be a struggle for both teams. A&M already has two losses so Buckeye fans will be huge fans of them throughout the rest of the season.

Week 12

Mississippi St. Versus Alabama – Another huge SEC game. A Crimson Tide win and they could secure their place in the College Football Playoff, unless they lose another game. This is a game the Buckeyes are likely rooting for the undefeated team.

Auburn Versus Georgia – I wouldn’t want to have Auburn’s schedule as they face monster after monster. If they come through it with still only one loss they will deserve the play in the playoff. The Bulldogs could have Todd Gurley back but it is not certain.

Week 13

Baylor Versus Oklahoma State – The Big 12 is likely to hurt each other. With Baylor, Oklahoma, Kansas State, OK State and TCU giving each other good to great games. Similar to the SEC the Buckeyes can benefit from this.

Week 14

None

Week 15 

Kansas State Versus Baylor – Another Big 12 game where the Buckeyes will likely benefit either way. K State winning would be the best thing for Ohio State likely no matter what.

Oklahoma State Versus Oklahoma – The Big 12 likely will have a few teams with two losses by this point but it shows how much easier the Buckeyes schedule seems to be compared to others.

Conference Championships

Big 10 – Buckeyes have to win.

Big 12

SEC

Pact-12

What it means?

We went through this long process of breaking down the schedules of Top 15 teams to show just how much hope we have as Buckeyes fans. There are 20 games not involving the Buckeyes were teams above them will have tough competition. If half those games go the Buckeyes way we could be looking at a College Football Playoff berth. And isn’t that all we can ask for this season?

What odds do you give the Buckeyes of making the College Football Playoff after seeing these games?