Early bowl predictions expect Buckeyes to be national-title contenders
COLUMBUS — The hype for Ohio State is real this offseason.
After they failed to meet their expectations last night — an 11-2 finish and a Rose Bowl victory — the Buckeyes return as one of the teams in serious national championship contention.
Ohio State was predicted by ESPN’s Kevin Bonagura and Mark Schlabach to reach both the semi-final and final in the College Football Playoff.
The duo tabbed the Buckeyes to play Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. Ohio State was picked the winner of the semifinal, and then was picked to play Alabama for the national championship.
To those who have paid close attention to the Buckeyes this offseason that’s not a groundbreaking analysis. Despite the loss of two star-studded wide receivers, coach Ryan Day retains key pieces to the Ohio State offensive juggernaut.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba all return for the Buckeyes this year with plenty they want to prove. The trio was named to several preseason award watch lists — Stroud was named the odds favorite to win the Heisman.
While those three are certainly the main characters for the story set to unfold, they aren’t alone. Ohio State returns a full defensive front including sophomore ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau. All-American cornerback Denzel Burke also returns for new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
It’s one of the largest retentions of talent in the country and the perfect mix of experience and talent will soon take the field. The Buckeyes season opener — a prime-time game against Notre Dame — is 11 days away. No. 2 Ohio State hosts No. 5 Notre Dame in the Horseshoe for the first time in 27 years.
Should the Buckeyes make it to the CFP semifinal and national championship game, it has to take care of business on Sept. 3.
Playoff History
Ohio State has made the playoff four times since the CFP first began in 2014.
The Buckeyes won the first CFP title when it defeated Oregon 42-20. Ohio State beat Alabama in the semifinal game 42-35 to advance to the championship.
Ohio State made the playoff both in 2016 and 2019 but failed to win its semifinal games. Both games were against Clemson with 31-0 (2016) and 29-23 (2019) finals.
The Buckeyes most recent playoff win was a 49-28 semifinal victory over Clemson in the 2020 season. They lost 52-24 to Alabama in the national championship.
