Ohio State Football: Predictions For College Football Playoff

Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; A general view of the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. Oklahoma won 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; A general view of the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. Oklahoma won 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) is congratulated by offensive lineman Jamarco Jones (74) and tight end Marcus Baugh (85) after his third quarter touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) is congratulated by offensive lineman Jamarco Jones (74) and tight end Marcus Baugh (85) after his third quarter touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Youth Will Catch Up To Ohio State

Ryan Rosko

Is Ohio State talented? Very, there’s no doubt. However, they are also extremely young. Yes, the team has grown this season, but winning multiple games by as few as one point is not something they can afford to do now.

Ohio State regularly had circumstances go in their favor. Had some of them didn’t, we could easily be waiting for a Buckeyes team with three or four losses. There is still a bad taste with Buckeyes when going up against Clemson.

However, this time that taste will go away as Ohio State gets the win over Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Clemson cannot do play the game they want when Watson is struggling. So, the Buckeyes will learn from their mistakes and put him in a position to struggle early and often.

Washington meanwhile is being overlooked a little. However, they simply do not have the talent to compete against Alabama. Sure, it would be great to see ‘Bama get knocked off before the national championship, but that is not going happen.

As a result, the most popular matchup will be in the national championship between Ohio State and Alabama. If picking between the two teams for the foreseeable future, I’d select Ohio State. Since this is just one game though, Alabama gets my pick. Should this be the national championship, Alabama should be the heavy favorite.

Ohio State committed too many costly mistakes this season. Some were due to a lack of experience, while others were due to bad luck. Some would not be obvious on the box score, such as when Barrett throws the ball compared to when he actually should have thrown it.

Ohio State’s talent is exciting to watch. However, talent can only take a team so far. Unless Ohio State makes one more unique and needed play than ‘Bama, they are not going to win.

Next: Five Buckeyes The Browns Should Draft

Given both the quantity and quality of the Crimson Tide’s playmakers on offense, it is hard to envision Alabama losing to Ohio State or even Clemson (if needed) for that matter.