Every week, we like to check in on where Erick Smith of USA TODAY believes Ohio State will go for the postseason. It’s an ever-changing model with the jostling of teams and a global pandemic wreaking havoc on schedules and availability.
Still, it’s fun to talk about and when you add to it the fact that Smith likes him some Scarlet and Gray, well — we’re game.
Truth be known, Ohio State has been locked into a Rose Bowl matchup since the Big Ten decided to return to play in this piece, and it’s no different now. In the latest, Smith has the Buckeyes again making the College Football Playoff, heading to the Rose Bowl to face Alabama.
The other semifinal according to USA TODAY is somewhat surprising with Clemson facing the Oregon Ducks in the Sugar Bowl.
Our latest college football bowl projections see Oregon, who has yet to play a snap, jump past Georgia into College Football Playoff. https://t.co/repsZXXjYq
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 20, 2020
It’s not all good news though Buckeye fans. Smith has OSU bowing out to the Tide in the Rose Bowl (of course he does). That would sure be a depressing ending to have the season end two-straight years in the semifinal, but that’s why they play the games.
You can get a look at the rest of the matchups by visiting the rest of Smith’s bowl projections.