College football’s conference championship games are coming to a conclusion, and that must mean it’s time for Ohio State to be included in some College Football Playoff drama. It seems like almost every year, the Buckeyes try their best to break the system, and in some years, we believe only duct tape and chewing gum have kept the whole thing from internally combusting.
OSU has been either just in or just out of the playoff in the years of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Only last season was it a lock to get in. And it seems we’re in familiar territory again in 2020. Not because Ohio State lost a game, but because it was only able to play six games, far fewer than other teams from other conferences.
And while Ohio State is an undefeated conference champion, there are plenty of media members, coaches, and very interested observers that feel the Buckeyes should not be included in all the fun because of the lack of games played.
Ryan Day was asked about that after his team outlasted an upstart and underrated Northwestern squad, and he didn’t bat an eyelash, making the case for OSU to be a part of the final four teams.
“All I’m going to say is this — people can say whatever they want,” said Day. “They have their opinions. I’m not going to talk about other teams because I think we have enough to talk about positively about our program, but I’ll say this; If we have an opportunity to play anybody in the country in one game, I’m going to take the Ohio State Buckeyes. I feel strongly about this team. We’re made of unbelievable character and they’ve been through so much. I think there’s a lot of people in the country that would agree with me.”
Well, everyone outside of South Bend, College Station, Gainesville, and Clemson anyway.
Twice last week, Ohio State coach Ryan Day said his team "can play with anybody in the country."
But can the Buckeyes defeat everybody in the country? That question will (seemingly) be put to the test in the #CFBPlayoff. https://t.co/wsZy2pHkMe
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 20, 2020
So there you have it. The Ohio State head man has spoken. Of course, you would expect nothing else, but our argument is that the Buckeyes had no control over the lack of games during a global pandemic, and they’ve won every game in front of them. And now OSU has a conference championship in tow to hang over the head of teams like Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Florida.
We feel pretty safe about the Buckeyes being in the field. Now, it’s a matter of what seed and where do they go? Will it be Pasadena or Atlanta? We’ll find out Sunday around Noon.
[vertical-gallery id=42747]
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.