Ohio State Football Guide for Championship Weekend: Who Buckeyes Fans Should Root For
As the college football season reaches its final stretch, the excitement intensifies with Championship Weekend—the final showdown before the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are set. For Ohio State fans, this weekend is particularly crucial as the Buckeyes aim to secure their place in the four-team playoff bracket and make a push for a national championship. With numerous conference title games across the country, Ohio State fans find themselves in a situation where the outcomes of other games could greatly influence the Buckeyes’ postseason fate. Here’s a guide on who Ohio State fans should root for during Championship Weekend, looking at the key matchups and what those games mean for the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes.
The most significant game for Ohio State fans to watch this weekend is the Big Ten Championship. While the Buckeyes are not participating in the game, Michigan’s performance against Iowa has major implications for Ohio State. Michigan, having defeated Ohio State in their annual rivalry game, is already in the driver’s seat for a CFP berth.
If Michigan wins the Big Ten Championship, the conference will likely have two teams—Michigan and Ohio State—in the playoff conversation. Even though Michigan’s victory may sting for Buckeyes fans, it is beneficial to have a second Big Ten team in the playoff, as it strengthens Ohio State’s résumé in comparison to other one-loss teams. Ohio State’s lone loss to Michigan might not look as bad if Michigan is viewed as one of the top teams in the nation.
On the other hand, if Iowa upsets Michigan, the Big Ten will only have one playoff contender. That could create a situation where Ohio State, with its strong overall resume (and a win over top-ranked Penn State), might have a clearer path to the playoffs despite its loss to Michigan.
The Big 12 Championship between Texas and Oklahoma State could also play a pivotal role in Ohio State’s playoff aspirations. Ohio State fans should be rooting for Texas to win this game, for a few reasons.
Texas is a strong, one-loss team that has been in the playoff conversation all season. If the Longhorns win the Big 12 Championship, they would likely secure a spot in the playoff, which would push Ohio State closer to securing one of the final spots. A Texas win would likely knock Oklahoma State out of the playoff discussion entirely, and Ohio State would still have a compelling argument for a top-four finish, assuming they finish strong.
However, if Oklahoma State pulls off an upset and wins the Big 12, they would enter the playoff picture, which could squeeze Ohio State’s chances. While Ohio State has a stronger overall resume than Oklahoma State, the more one-loss teams in the mix, the more complicated the selection process becomes.
In the ACC Championship game, Ohio State fans should root for Florida State to defeat Louisville. Florida State, undefeated and ranked in the top four, is in a strong position to make the playoff regardless of what happens in this game.
If Florida State wins, their resume remains intact, and they stay firmly in the playoff hunt. Additionally, an undefeated Florida State team would likely push other one-loss teams (like Ohio State) down the rankings. Therefore, Ohio State fans should want the Seminoles to handle business against Louisville, preserving their undefeated season and keeping the ACC as a strong contender.
If Louisville were to pull an upset, it could throw a wrench into the playoff conversation by adding a second one-loss team into the mix, potentially muddling Ohio State’s standing. An undefeated Florida State team is easier for Ohio State fans to navigate around in terms of playoff positioning.
The Pac-12 Championship game between Washington and Oregon is another key matchup for Ohio State fans to monitor. This is a critical game because both teams are in the playoff conversation. Ohio State fans should root for Washington to win this game, primarily for one reason: Washington is already undefeated and will likely secure a playoff spot with a win, while Oregon, a one-loss team, might push Ohio State further down the rankings if they win.
If Washington wins, their undefeated season guarantees their spot in the playoff, while a loss by Oregon would likely keep them out of the top four, preserving Ohio State’s standing. Oregon winning, on the other hand, could complicate Ohio State’s path to the playoffs if the Ducks find themselves as the only one-loss team left vying for the final spots.
Lastly, Ohio State fans should root for Georgia to beat Alabama in the SEC Championship game. While both teams are strong contenders for a playoff spot, a Georgia victory is important for a few reasons.
First, Georgia is a dominant team and likely already has a spot in the playoff, win or lose. If Alabama were to win, they could potentially leapfrog Ohio State into one of the final four spots, especially given the tradition of SEC dominance in the playoff rankings.
In addition, Alabama winning could further solidify the SEC’s position as a two-team conference in the playoff, leaving Ohio State on the outside looking in. A Georgia win keeps the SEC at two playoff spots, with Ohio State potentially securing a spot in the final four.
Ohio State’s playoff hopes will ultimately depend on how Championship Weekend unfolds across the nation. The Buckeyes’ playoff destiny is not entirely in their hands, but rooting for the right outcomes could significantly boost their chances of securing one of the coveted spots in the College Football Playoff. Buckeyes fans will need to watch the Big Ten Championship, Big 12 Championship, ACC Championship, Pac-12 Championship, and SEC Championship games closely, hoping for favorable results that will keep Ohio State’s playoff hopes alive. While the road ahead may seem uncertain, one thing is for sure—Ohio State will need some help from around the nation to ensure a shot at a national title.