Can the Ohio State Football team still make the Playoffs?

Ohio State needs its opponents to play well and climb higher in the rankings as well as the ACC to stay down.

Currently, the Buckeyes only have two more ranked teams on their schedule in Penn State and Michigan. If Ohio State wants to impress, that needs to change. Indiana and Michigan State need to keep winning to become a ranked team by the time Ohio State plays them.

The other biggest factor is who would come out of the West to play in the Big Ten Championship game. If Iowa can win out they would likely be a top-five team by the time the Big Ten Championship comes around. If the Buckeyes can get a win there, that would be a huge win.

The other conference that Ohio State will be watching is the ACC. Clemson also lost an early game to a highly ranked opponent, but the Tigers do not have a ranked team remaining on their schedule. Currently, there is not a team that looks like they will rise up to play in the ACC Championship game either like the Big Ten West has the potential to do. The strength of schedule will likely be the deciding factor if Clemson and Ohio State are placed head-to-head.

Of course, the Buckeyes will need to win all of the other games on their remaining schedule for any of that to matter. Another loss would all but cook Ohio State’s Playoff chances. They have to win out and look good in the process.