Ohio State's CFP Hopes 'May Come Down to Michigan Showdown' per PFF

With a spot in the playoff once again on the line, the Buckeyes' title hopes may come down to a season-finale showdown against their bitter rivals.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are no strangers to being national title contenders. 

It's been that way for years, especially under coach Ryan Day, who's ramped up recruiting and put the Buckeyes in prime position to succeed on the field. Despite that success, however, one major obstacle has stood in the way of the Buckeyes' title hopes the past two seasons: Michigan. 

In 2021, the Buckeyes' bitter rivals ended any chance of them making the four-team playoff, forcing them into a Rose Bowl matchup with Utah instead. 

For any other school, that'd be a good thing, but Ohio State's standard of excellence made it sting the Buckeyes in a way that only the Wolverines' could pull off. And to make matters worse, it happened two years in a row — though last year the Buckeyes still remained in CFP contention. 

Either way, the loss hasn't sat well with Buckeyes fans. 

The unfortunate reality for them, however, is that depending on how things shake out this season, they might have to place their teams' hopes on a game against Michigan once again. In a recent PFF list, the Buckeyes were placed among a group of 15 schools who were set to be contenders next season, alongside Michigan and Penn State from the Big 10.

"The Ohio State offense should be elite as usual, thanks to dynamic weapons. They have the two best wide receivers in the nation in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, along with two stud running backs in TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams," PFF wrote. "The Buckeyes made strides defensively last season in their first season under new coordinator Jim Knowles ... [and] they will need to continue to make improvements on that side of the ball if they want to be considered among the top-tier teams." 

Yes, the Buckeyes will be dangerous next season. That part isn't up for discussion, as an elite returning core on both sides of the ball will likely continue to roll in typical Ohio State fashion. Will it be enough, however, to take them straight to the CFP? 

"It may come down to the last game of the season again, a showdown with rival Michigan," the site concluded.

Realistically, if the Buckeyes want to be in consideration for the four-team playoff, they'll need to either be 11-0 heading to Michigan, or 10-1 needing a win. If the latter ends up being the case, a loss would once again end all hope for Ohio State winning the title, while the 11-0 option still provides hope — especially if Michigan is also undefeated when the two schools face off. 

It's not a pretty situation, especially when the difference between a national title trophy and a Rose Bowl one could be a game against the Buckeyes' bitter rivals.

But the added pressure shouldn't surprise Day's squad. If they want to win the title, they'll need to prove themselves better than any other team, including Michigan, which will just add some much-anticipated drama to the fold.

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