Before the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams, it seemed like every time the Ohio State football team took on Michigan, it was for more than just pride. In the four-team CFP era, there was a playoff spot on the line almost every time these two teams matched up.
This season, there is no doubt that the Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the best teams in the country. They have won every game they've played so far, and none of them have been very close. They are the top-ranked team in the country and might be better than last year's national championship team.
While we know what the Buckeyes are, there is still some conjecture about how good TTUN is. They don't have a loss yet, but they've looked far from dominant this year. One FOX analyst thinks there's a chance that the Wolverines could be playing for a CFP spot in that final game of the year.
Joel Klatt thinks Michigan could be playing for a College Football Playoff spot against Ohio State
While speaking on his own show, The Joel Klatt Show, Klatt theorized that the Wolverines could have a spot on the postseason on the line when the Buckeyes visit them in late November.
"Are they playing for a spot in the playoff when we get there?... That scene will be incredible."
— The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football on FOX Pod (@JoelKlattShow) October 8, 2025
More from @joelklatt on Michigan-Ohio State as one of the ten games that will shape the rest of this season. pic.twitter.com/QeyFmX3dfL
"Are they playing for a spot in the Playoff when we get there, even if they were to trip up this weekend? Let's just say, sake of argument, they lose to USC and then they win out, and they're sitting there 9-2 against Ohio State. Even if Ohio State is in with a loss (in that game), Michigan could be playing for a playoff spot at that point."
Klatt is making a lot of assumptions about the strength of the Wolverines the rest of the way. Playing at USC this weekend is factored in, but they still have to play at home against a good Washington next week. There's also the rivalry game against Michigan State the following weekend.
If Michigan is playing for a CFP spot in that game, that will make the Buckeyes want to beat them down even more. This Ohio State football team is moving differently since that loss, and that might have fundamentally changed how they operate as a program.
It would sure be sweet for Ryan Day if he could knock TTUN out of a shot to make the College Football Playoff by beating them in their own home.