While the Ohio State Buckeyes limped into the College Football Playoff following an embarrassing 13-10 loss to the Michigan Wolverines, they will still host a home playoff game as the No. 8 seed.
If they can win a first-round matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers, the bracket becomes interesting. Who will the Buckeyes need to knock off on their potential path to the CFP National Championship? College Football Network breaks down every potential matchup in Ohio State’s quest for a national title.
Ohio State College Football Playoff First-Round Prediction vs. No. 9 Tennessee
The Buckeyes are the lowest-ranked team to earn a home matchup, and that could make a huge difference against a quality Tennessee team. The Buckeyes will need to stop the run better than they did against Michigan as Tennessee’s offense can move the ball on the ground.
- Win Probability vs. No. 9 Tennessee: 64.6%
- CFN Spread vs. No. 9 Tennessee: Ohio State -5.5
Ohio State College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Prediction vs. No. 1 Oregon
A win over Tennessee would put the Buckeyes in position to get revenge on the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, who beat the Buckeyes in Eugene, Ore., early in the season. On a neutral field, the Buckeyes will be slight underdogs.
- Win Probability vs. No. 1 Oregon: 46.2%
- CFN Spread vs. No. 1 Oregon: Oregon -2
Ohio State College Football Playoff Semifinal Projection vs. No. 4 Arizona State, No. 5 Texas, or No. 12 Clemson
There are three possible opponents in the semifinals for the Buckeyes: The Arizona State Sun Devils or the winner of the first-round matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers. Ohio State is a sizeable favorite against both Arizona State and Clemson, while the Buckeyes would be slight favorites over the Longhorns.
- Win Probability vs. No. 4 Arizona State: 67.7%
- Win Probability vs. No. 5 Texas: 50.6%
- Win Probability vs. No. 12 Clemson: 70.3%
- CFN Spread vs. No. 4 Arizona State: Ohio State -6.5
- CFN Spread vs. No. 5 Texas: Pick ’em
- CFN Spread vs. No. 12 Clemson: Ohio State -7
Ohio State College Football Playoff National Championship Projection vs. The Field
Six teams are on the other side of the bracket: The Boise State Broncos, Penn State Nittany Lions, SMU Mustangs, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Indiana Hoosiers, and Georgia Bulldogs. The Buckeyes would be favored against five of them with a potential matchup with Georgia being a toss-up.
- Win Probability vs. No. 3 Boise State: 78.1%
- Win Probability vs. No. 6 Penn State: 58.9%
- Win Probability vs. No. 11 SMU: 71.6%
- Win Probability vs. No. 7 Notre Dame: 58.9%
- Win Probability vs. No. 10 Indiana: 61.9%
- Win Probability vs. No. 2 Georgia: 50.4%
- CFN Spread vs. No. 3 Boise State: Ohio State -10
- CFN Spread vs. No. 6 Penn State: Ohio State -3
- CFN Spread vs. No. 11 SMU: Ohio State -7
- CFN Spread vs. No. 7 Notre Dame: Ohio State -3
- CFN Spread vs. No. 10 Indiana: Ohio State -4
- CFN Spread vs. No. 2 Georgia: Pick ’em
