Even if Ohio State were to lose to The Team Up North in their final regular season game of the season, the Buckeyes would still be a complete lock for the College Football Playoff. So, while some teams are still focusing on the regular season and securing their spot in the playoff, Ohio State can turn some of the focus towards the playoff and what needs to be done there.
Granted, don't think Ohio State isn't doing everything to make sure they beat The Team Up North this week. Ryan Day knows that his team is a lock for the biggest games of the season coming soon.
The Buckeyes have seemed practically unbeatable this season with such a stout defense and an offense that is truly coming together at the right time, despite a few key injuries. Ohio State could truly not be playing better this season, and there is hope that it will continue all the way back to the National Championship game and help the Buckeyes bring home another title.
There are going to be 11 other teams, however, vying for that same title, and some of them are also playing their best football right now. While it feels like no one can stop this Ohio State team right now, here are three teams that could potentially be the Buckeyes' biggest problem in the College Football Playoff.
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Some may argue that Ohio State had no problem taking down Notre Dame in the title game last year, and they can easily do it again this year. Well, Notre Dame isn't the same team they were last year, as the Fighting Irish have honestly upgraded at the quarterback position, Jeremiyah Love has gotten even better, Jadarian Price is the second half of the one-two punch run game, and the defense is looking very scary right now.
Riley Leonard was no slouch at QB for Notre Dame last season, but CJ Carr has a better arm than Leonard did, and he is certainly using it with a wide range of wide receivers this season. That has helped open up the run game even more for the Fighting Irish. Love and Price have been the best running back duo this season, constantly keeping defenses on their feet, and even against Ohio State's elite defense, they could cause guys to miss.
Even after a rough start, the Notre Dame defense is playing its best ball at the right time. Leonard Moore is back and ready to get some revenge on this Ohio State team, and Julian Sayin isn't as seasoned as Will Howard was last season, and Ohio State has yet to face a defense like Notre Dame's.
2. Indiana Hoosiers
This debate might be settled in the Big Ten title game, but if Ohio State beats Indiana in that game, that could make them a very scary team to face in the playoff because it is hard to beat a team twice in the same season.
This certainly is not the same Indiana team from last season, as quarterback Fernando Mendoza is playing like a Heisman Trophy winner, just like Julian Sayin. Mendoza has helped open so many things in this offense that weren't there last season, like the long ball. He has also proven he can do it without his top guys.
This Indiana defense might be the biggest thing to talk about, though, as it is ranked No. 4 in the country, a big difference from last season. Just like Ohio State, this is a stifling defense that doesn't allow an inch, and like mentioned before with Notre Dame, Sayin has yet to face a lot of true pressure from an elite defense, and he will see a lot of that in the College Football Playoff.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Now, some might laugh a bit at this one, but let's be real, Texas Tech might be a Big 12 team, but the Red Raiders are a scary team that many are going to overlook. This defense is scary good, so good that is has a linebacker that could actually be up for winning the Heisman Trophy with how good Jacob Rodriguez is playing.
The Red Raiders have the No. 7 defense in the country, allowing just an average of 266.1 yards per game allowing only an average of 12.3 points per game to opposing offenses. If the offense isn't putting points up on the board, the defense is with turnovers returned for touchdowns.
The Texas Tech offense is no slouch either, also ranked No. 7 in the country, averaging 481.6 yards per game and 42.6 points per game. This offense has weapons all over the field, stretching defenses to a point where there is a breakdown somewhere.
Sometimes it is the teams that no one expects that are the scariest and right now that is Texas Tech.