After dispatching the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with relative ease in Week 13 (35-9), the Ohio State Buckeyes remain undefeated on the year (11-0). With just one game between them and the Big Ten Championship Game, what are Ryan Day’s squad’s odds of making the title dance?
What Are the Chances of Ohio State Making the Big Ten Championship Game?
Could one conference loss really have knocked the Buckeyes out of Big Ten contention? Not fully, but it would’ve made things a bit more interesting.
Entering the contest, their title game odds were at 73.8%, according to the PFSN College Football Playoff Meter (FPM). With a loss, those odds would’ve fallen to 45.8% (they are currently at 78.2% thanks to the win).
The Buckeyes’ offense has scored 30+ in all but two games this season and ranked third in PFSN’s College Offense Impact score prior to Week 13. Yet, the defense has been even more impressive beyond the box score, ranking second-best in the country heading into the bout against Rutgers.
Despite missing both Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, QB Julian Sayin completed 13 of 19 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, while the rushing attack exploded for 258 yards and four scores.
The defense did its job as well, conceding just nine points, holding Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis to 10 of 20 passing for 81 yards, and stuffing the ground game to just 1.9 yards per carry.
Still undefeated, what can we expect from Ohio State with one game remaining, and what is its path toward the College Football Playoff?
Remaining Ohio State Football Schedule
- at No. 18 Michigan Wolverines
The path forward is rather simple for Day and Co.: win, and you’re in. If the Buckeyes fall in The Game, a rivalry they actually trail 62-51-6, Michigan will likely face the winner of the USC-Oregon matchup.
KEEP READING: College Football Bowl Tracker and Clinching Scenarios in Week 13
Of course, “simple” doesn’t mean easy. Ohio State has dropped four straight to Michigan, including heartbreakers in 2022 and 2023 that derailed playoff hopes and cost them Big Ten titles. Ryan Day is 1-3 against the Wolverines, and that lone win came back in 2019. The pressure is mounting, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and Ann Arbor has been a house of horrors for this program in recent years.
Nevertheless, this Ohio State team is built to break through once again. The offense is explosive even without its top weapons, the defense is suffocating, and they’re battle-tested after navigating an 11-0 record. Win, and the Buckeyes are Big Ten Championship-bound with a legitimate shot at back-to-back national titles.
