Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: How Buckeyes stack up against other playoff contenders

By Blake Biscardi

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Chris Olave #17 and Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after a safety in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Chris Olave #17 and Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after a safety in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 31: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops James Charles #28 of the Florida Atlantic Owls for a loss in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 31: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops James Charles #28 of the Florida Atlantic Owls for a loss in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

It’s never too early to start debating who’s in the CFP. The Ohio State football team is in the thick of it. See how the Buckeyes stack up to the other contenders.

There is no doubt Ohio State is one of the best teams in America right now. That being said, when starting the season so hot you run the risk of peaking too early which then translates to the wrong ending to the season.

However, having paid close attention to the Buckeyes and their style of play it is evident something is special about this team that will allow the high level of play to be sustained throughout the season.

To start, Ohio State feels as though last year’s results weren’t  good enough despite being 13-1 and back to back Big Ten Champions as well as winning the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes are playing laser focused and motivated with a chip on their shoulder and the only way it’s coming off is a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Can Ohio State hang with the other teams at the top? Are they in a position to win a national title?

Or is it all beginner’s luck for Ryan Day? Let’s find out by comparing the Buckeyes to the teams I think are the legitimate playoff contenders.

First a look at the teams from the Big 12.

Texas: Sam Ellingher played a great game at home against LSU, but the Longhorns had execution issues at times, especially in the red zone in goal to go situations. Texas is back and they have proven it by beating Oklahoma and Georgia last year as well as playing step for step with LSU.

The Longhorns will split with the Sooners again and finish with two losses so they will not make the playoff. If the Buckeyes drew a matchup with the Longhorns, I can see Ryan Day creating a few matchup nightmares in space with the speed of the offense.

The defense would be too suffocating for Texas to ever fully get going, so I would see an Ohio State victory by low double digits.

Oklahoma: This would be a battle of comparable coaches on the rise with Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day. A matchup between the Buckeyes and Sooners would be very intriguing as both boast high-octane offenses with elite quarterbacks and creative schemes.

When picking a winner I think the offenses cancel each other out which leaves the defense and special teams. I’ll give the edge to Ohio State solely because of the simplified attack which allows the Silver Bullets to fly around and play downhill.

The Buckeye defense would come up with just enough stops to win in what would be a very entertaining chess match.

Now for the trio from the SEC.

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