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Ohio State football: Evaluating the College Football Playoff top 25

By Logan Williams

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates a first down during the first quarter of the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Ohio State Buckeyes At Indiana Hoosiers
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates a first down during the first quarter of the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Ohio State Buckeyes At Indiana Hoosiers /
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The initial College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night. The rankings are somewhat insignificant considering that much of the controversy will work itself out when teams meet on the field. Nonetheless, it is exciting to break down the committee’s thought process as we enter the final stretch of the season.

The Ohio State football team ranks behind Oregon

The committee showed that they value head to head…at least for now. Oregon, who defeated Ohio State in early September, earned the 4th spot in the top four. Oregon has stumbled since then against a 3-5 Stanford team, and has not looked overwhelmingly impressive. But for now, they are getting the nod over the Buckeyes, ranking one place ahead of 5th ranked Ohio State.

Controlling their destiny

Despite Ohio State taking a back seat to the Ducks, they are well-positioned for the rest of the year. When evaluated against competing teams with similar resumes, Ohio State still ranked ahead of undefeated Cincinnati (6), one-loss Michigan (7), and undefeated Oklahoma (8). Gary Barta and the playoff committee acknowledged the improvement Ohio State has made and the explosiveness that their offense has shown since the Oregon loss.

Even more, Ohio State’s strength of schedule the rest of the way is second to none. Ohio State will likely close the regular season with back-to-back games against two top 10 teams in Michigan State and Michigan.

Meanwhile, Minnesota (20), Wisconsin (21), and Iowa (22) represent the Big Ten West in the back half of the top 25. With a Big Ten title win over what will probably prove to be a ranked Big Ten West representative, Ohio State’s resume will be on par with the best.

First CFP rankings show OSU doesn't need help. dark. Next

This early in the season, the playoff rankings are not worth stressing over. And of course, all this hinges on the Ohio State football team running the table. With one loss already, the margin for error is zero. Over the next five weeks, results will play out and everything will fall into place.

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