Yesterday ESPN released its updated projections for the bowl games and Ohio State is one of the top four teams. Rounding out the top four is Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia. The first round of the playoffs has Ohio State losing to Alabama, however with Georgia and Alabama playing this Saturday that all could change quickly.
With the Big 12 all but removing itself from the discussion, and either Alabama or Georgia being a one-loss team, the path continues to clear itself up for Ohio State. Notre Dame and North Carolina will play each other, removing one of them from the unbeaten category as well. Clemson has to play Notre Dame and the final game against Pittsburgh could be a proverbial trap game before they play Virginia Tech.
That means as long as the Buckeyes win, they should be in the final four teams. Should Clemson, Notre Dame, North Carolina, and either Alabama or Georgia all have one loss, then the Big 12 could sneak in as a Power Five team if Oklahoma State wins out. However, Oklahoma State still has an angry Oklahoma, an up and down Texas, a sneaky Iowa State, and a reeling Kansas State on its schedule as well.
Ohio State football 2020 schedule superlatives https://t.co/ddDRDVJdsz
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) October 12, 2020
With teams from the traditional Power Five conferences having to play each other every week, it creates a complex and slightly confusing season. One loss isn’t the end of the season as it has been in the past, but going undefeated is almost a sure bet to get in. The Buckeyes are predicted in the final four and nothing makes anyone think they can’t stay there.
Ohio State will begin its journey in less than two weeks, on Saturday, October 24 at Noon vs. Nebraska.
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