Ohio State football prepares for a championship run
By Charles Post
After finishing the regular season with a perfect 5-0 record, the Ohio State football team will face 14th ranked Northwestern in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. If the Buckeyes win their sixth straight game, they will advance to the College Football Playoff for the third time in five years.
The Ohio State football team enters the game against Northwestern as 20.5-point favorites and they’ll lean on an explosive offense that averages 46.6 points and 532.4 yards per game. The Wildcats don’t have as much firepower on offense or defense but Brandon Joseph, Kyric McGowan, and Peyton Ramsey have proven to be consistent contributors.
Bennett Christian, a 4-star tight end who committed to Ohio State earlier this year, is confident the Buckeyes will be able to get past Northwestern in the Big Ten title game and reach the four-team playoff: “I’m hopeful it finishes with a playoff appearance. I guess we will see how all of this plays out.”
If Ohio State is able to clinch their fourth consecutive Big Ten championship, they’ll meet either Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, or Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Friday, January 1, 2021. According to Vegas Insider, Ryan Day’s team has the third-best odds (+300) to win the national title behind Alabama and Clemson.
“I think they finish the season against Alabama in the national championship game where their secondary will have to win the game. It’ll be their biggest and best test and I know they’ll rise up and exceed expectations,” former Buckeyes safety Tyvis Powell explained. “Ohio State definitely has what it takes to win.”
It’s nearly a lock that the Buckeyes will reach the CFP but can they eliminate Alabama, Clemson, and/or Notre Dame? We’ll see. With Ryan Day and Justin Fields at the helm, Ohio State has proven they can beat anyone in the nation. With that said, the defense will need to continue to get better in order to win a ninth national title.
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When asked if he felt like this season was championship or bust for the Buckeyes, Powell responded: “Absolutely. 100%. You have to get there and win. All of the hard work and sacrifices that they’re making, I don’t think it’s just to get to the championship. I think they’re doing it to win the championship.”