OK, I know, I know, why even put such things out in the college football universe? Ohio State is all set to host Michigan on Saturday and everyone that knows anything about ‘The Game’ is fully aware that the Buckeyes have lost three-straight.
If you are even a casual Buckeye fan, you also know that OSU is having a much better season than its arch rivals, seeing how the Maize and Blue just became bowl-eligible last week. There is no shot at a Big Ten championship, no chance at a College Football Playoff berth, and likely no opportunity to head to any kind of bowl game worth consequence in Ann Arbor.
But beating Ohio State would make an awfully sour season taste that much sweeter. For Buckeye Nation, it would be one whale of a punch in the gut, especially with as talented of a roster as what has been put together in Columbus.
But … what if? What if Ohio State loses its fourth-straight to “That Team Up North?” What would the implications be?
Postseason Implications for Ohio State
First things first, the Buckeyes would no longer be heading to Indianapolis with a chance to avenge a prior loss to Oregon and become Big Ten champs. Instead, it would likely be Penn State or Indiana unless they were both to lose Saturday (that isn’t happening). So, it would be extend the streak to four years of OSU not winning a Big Ten title.
Outside of that though, it would appear as though Ohio State is in fantastic shape to still make the 12-team College Football Playoff regardless of what happens on Saturday. Currently ranked No. 2, even a loss wouldn’t likely drop the Buckeyes far enough to keep them out of all of the fun, unless it ends up being a blowout. Even then, regardless of score, Ohio State has two wins over what were top-five opponents — currently both top ten squads. That should be more than enough to keep a little Scarlet and Gray into the fold.
But the Buckeyes would no longer be a No. 1 seed or even a No. 5 seed, so the chances of hosting a first-round CFP game would perhaps fly out the window. But don’t worry, a team capable of winning it all would still have a shot.
Buckeye Nation would respond
However, if the Buckeyes can’t get it done on Saturday, there are more impacts that will ripple across the great state of Ohio. Fans will be even more restless, calling for head coach Ryan Day’s job. Losing four-straight to Michigan won’t make anyone happy, but even with all of the whispers and murmurs rising to the level of a deafening roar, it’s unlikely that new Athletic Director Ross Bjork would make a move on Day, especially with him steering the team to another College Football Playoff appearance.
Beyond that, it really depends on how far the Buckeyes make it in the playoff. OSU came within a missed field goal of beating Georgia after a loss to Michigan in 2022 that would have likely ended up in a national title. The same scenario could play out this season.
Either way, Ohio State is going to the playoff folks. Mark it down. However, let’s just hope that the team shows up and plays up to its potential and blows the doors off of Michigan to put the universe back in equilibrium on Saturday.
Time to get it done.
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