How Ohio State Can Make the Playoff Without Playing for the Big Ten Title

A double-overtime victory over the rival Michigan Wolverines on Saturday afternoon kept the Ohio State Buckeyes alive in the race for the College Football Playoff. Now, they need some help. Fortunately for Ohio State, that assistance could come from multiple teams. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they control nothing. Penn State avoided an upset against Michigan State, overcoming a slim halftime deficit with a dominant second half to record a 45-12 win and claim the Big Ten East Division. An unexpected turnaround led to the Nittany Lions finishing 8-1 in conference action. That head-to-head loss in State College is what put the Buckeyes into this precarious position.

And Wisconsin’s comeback win against Minnesota complicated Ohio State’s outlook for the Playoff. Had the Badgers lost, it’s unlikely they would’ve received a nod over the Buckeyes despite winning the conference championship because of the result in Madison on Oct. 15. Instead,…

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