Who should Ohio State football supporters support on championship weekend?

Ohio State’s Playoff Hopes Amid Championship Weekend

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Championship weekend is upon us in college football, but for the second consecutive year, the Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves on the sidelines.

Despite not competing for a conference title, the Buckeyes are far from irrelevant. Their College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes remain alive, and they are widely expected to secure a spot in the postseason. The final rankings from the CFP selection committee will be unveiled on Sunday, determining the official 12-team bracket for the playoffs.

Championship games across various conferences will significantly influence the final seeding, with five automatic bids granted to conference champions. The outcomes of these contests could shape where Ohio State lands in the rankings and potentially alter their playoff path.

How Ohio State Could Be Seeded

Currently, Ohio State’s seeding is a subject of speculation. If the CFP committee refrains from penalizing teams for losing in conference title games—essentially recognizing the added difficulty of playing an extra game—the Buckeyes are likely to remain locked in at the No. 8 seed. This placement would give Ohio State the advantage of hosting a first-round playoff game, potentially against No. 9-seed Tennessee.

However, if the committee opts to penalize teams that lose in their conference championship matchups, Ohio State’s seeding could shift upward, presenting a more favorable playoff route. To achieve the best possible scenario, Ohio State fans will need to root for specific outcomes in championship games.

Key Games and What Ohio State Fans Should Watch For.

1. Oregon vs. Penn State (Big Ten Championship)
Penn State’s presence in the Big Ten title game stems from Ohio State’s loss to Michigan. Had the Buckeyes prevailed, they would have owned the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Nittany Lions.

At 11-2, Penn State’s résumé may not outshine Ohio State’s. The Buckeyes defeated Penn State on the road and secured another significant victory over No. 9-ranked Indiana. In contrast, Penn State’s most notable win came at home against No. 21 Illinois.

If Oregon defeats Penn State on Saturday and the committee considers Penn State’s second loss as a standard defeat, the Nittany Lions could slip behind Ohio State in the rankings. This outcome would bolster the Buckeyes’ case for a higher seed.

2. Texas vs. Georgia (SEC Championship)
Both Georgia and Ohio State enter the weekend with identical 10-2 records. Georgia’s losses, however, are arguably less damaging—they came against No. 11 Alabama and No. 13 Ole Miss—compared to Ohio State’s loss to unranked Michigan.

Currently, Georgia sits one spot ahead of Ohio State in the rankings. A third defeat at the hands of Texas in the SEC title game could prompt the committee to rank Georgia below Ohio State, provided they treat the loss like any other.

Best-Case Playoff Seeding for Ohio State

If the above scenarios play out favorably, Ohio State could secure a higher seed. Based on current rankings and potential outcomes, here is a plausible playoff bracket that works in Ohio State’s favor:

This scenario places Ohio State at the No. 6 seed, giving them a clearer path to the semifinals. Additionally, it underscores the importance of specific championship outcomes in shaping the Buckeyes’ playoff position.

The Importance of Conference Championship Weekend

Championship weekend holds immense stakes not just for teams competing on the field but also for those watching from the sidelines, like Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ playoff journey depends on a combination of their own résumé, the committee’s perspective on conference title game losses, and the outcomes of games involving potential competitors.

As the football world eagerly awaits Sunday’s CFP bracket announcement, Ohio State fans will watch championship games closely, hoping for the perfect alignment of results to maximize their team’s playoff potential.