Heather Dinich: Ohio State needs 'help' to make College Football Playoff after Michigan loss

Ohio State is one of the most interesting teams heading into conference championship week. That’s largely because the Buckeyes don’t play in another game. So, after recently losing to Michigan, Ohio State’s case for the College Football Playoff has been made.

During an appearance on Get Up, Heather Dinich explained that where Ohio State is ranked ahead of the conference championship games will likely indicate if the Buckeyes have any shot at the Playoff.

“Let’s watch that tonight guys,” Dinich said. “My biggest question is how far does Ohio State fall in tonight’s rankings, and I don’t think they’ll fall lower than six but that will be a big clue as to whether or not they can be taken seriously to get in this thing.”

It’s not impossible for Ohio State to make the Playoff after losing to Michigan and missing the Big Ten Championship Game. The Buckeyes did it last season, after all. However, to get in last season, the Buckeyes needed help and they’ll need help this season too.

“They do have wins, obviously, against Penn State, Notre Dame. That was the blueprint for them to get in last year without beating Michigan or winning the Big Ten East or the conference title. But last year they needed help too,” Dinich said. “Remember, it wasn’t just those wins. It was USC losing to Utah on Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Ohio State is not getting in this thing without help.”

At this point, there are still four unbeaten Power Five teams. There are also three Power Five teams in conference championship games with one loss. That’s a lot of teams that have a chance to win their conference while competing for only four Playoff spots.

Where Ohio State goes from here after losing The Game

Losing The Game for a third season in a row was incredibly frustrating and left a lot of people are Ohio State wondering where the program goes from here. In a season where there may not be a path to the College Football Playoff,  Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook admitted he doesn’t see a clear path forward this time.

“It’s interesting because, last year, you thought that they still had a chance at the College Football Playoff. They ultimately did because of the Caleb Williams injury and USC. This year? That path just doesn’t really look viable. Last year? They could hold on to that and say, ‘Let’s see how the cards play out’. But it’s just a little different this year,” Holbrook said.

“I really don’t know. This is as peculiar as a time that I’ve been on the beat because it’s just – where do they go? It’s a great question.”