Skip to main content
ohio-state logo

CFP path clear as committee doubles down on Ohio State eye test

Austin-Wardby:Austin Ward•12/01/20•

AWardSports

Javontae Jean-Baptiste by Birm-Lettermen Row
Ohio State and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste are in position for the College Football Playoff. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — There was nothing new to see about Ohio State last week.

And if what the College Football Playoff selection committee has already watched from the Buckeyes is still enough, it’s hard to see how there’s anything left that could possibly change its mind. So, while it’s normally wise to just ignore these early rankings, this time there might actually be some important guidance for the road ahead.

Yes, upsets do happen in this crazy sport, particularly during this challenging season when rosters are always subject to change all the way up to kickoff. But the voters offered a clear reminder that when it comes to evaluating the most talented teams in the country, the Buckeyes have already passed the eye test — doubling down on that fact Tuesday night by leaving them at No. 4 on the heels of a cancellation against Illinois.

There was never going to be much value to a win over the Illini in the first place, and honestly the same is going to be true this week as the Buckeyes prepare to return to action against Michigan State. One way or another, Ohio State is not going to be at full strength with a handful of players missing thanks to the Big Ten’s 21-day rule for a positive COVID test and coach Ryan Day sidelined until next week as well. So, if that essentially wipes out any need for style points, it also effectively clears the path for the Buckeyes back to the playoff.

Chris Olave-Ohio State-Buckeyes-Ohio State football

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave and the Buckeyes claimed a key win over Indiana. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

At some point, teams obviously have to go out and earn the right to compete for the national title. Nobody is suggesting that Ohio State should advance straight to the semifinals from this point on, skipping the Spartans, The Game or what should be the Big Ten title game after that. The Buckeyes have made too many sacrifices to bypass the rewards of playing the game they love, trying to claim another set of Gold Pants or defend their conference crown. Winning those three games was always going to be enough to get them in the playoff no matter what.

But the more pressing question after Ohio State was compelled to cancel the trip to Illinois was how many more games it needed to play to keep chasing its ultimate goal. And the committee has now built a case that the answer might actually be zero. Honestly, outside of the annual howls from the SEC about how it should get two teams into the field, there could really be no complaints about a bracket that included Alabama-Ohio State and Notre Dame-Clemson. Those are unlikely to be the final pairings thanks to the looming rematch in the ACC, but it’s hard to find any fault with that top-four right now.

And that also means Ohio State shouldn’t need to do anything else to impress the committee.

No matter how many games the Buckeyes have left, the voters have clearly already seen enough to know they’re deserving of a return to the College Football Playoff — as long as their only loss remains to COVID and not anybody on the field.

[yt-video v=5nQjIizD02I]

College Football Playoff rankings (Dec. 1)

  1. Alabama
  2. Notre Dame
  3. Clemson
  4. Ohio State
  5. Texas A&M
  6. Florida
  7. Cincinnati
  8. Georgia
  9. Iowa State
  10. Miami
  11. Oklahoma
  12. Indiana
  13. BYU
  14. Northwestern
  15. Oklahoma State
  16. Wisconsin
  17. North Carolina
  18. Coastal Carolina
  19. Iowa
  20. USC
  21. Marshall
  22. Washington
  23. Oregon
  24. Tulsa
  25. Lousiana

[yt-video v=QS5wIJLAoUc]

You may also like