Scarlet Sunrise: ESPN charts Buckeyes landing spots if CFP was always 12 teams
Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.
ESPN charts Buckeyes landing spots if CFP was always a 12-teams
A 12-team College Football Playoff is on the horizon — especially after the Rose Bowl reportedly amended its contract to acquiesce an expanded field. That was the last hurdle the CFP had to clear in order to get a field with a dozen programs as early as the 2024-25 seasons.
ESPN staff writer and advanced stats expert Bill Connelly put out a piece charting out what a 12-team CFP would have looked like since the playoff’s inception in 2014. Connelly simulated the previous eight CFPs using his SP+ rankings and included each of the playoff team’s odds of reaching the semifinals.
Remember, in its future 12-team field, the CFP will reserve six spots for conference champions. The remaining places at the table will be for at-large bids.
Here’s where Connelly’s simulation had Ohio State…
2014
Quarterfinals
Cotton Bowl: 4 Ohio State (12-1) vs. Baylor-Boise State winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 59%
Buckeyes championship odds: 11%
2015
First Round
10 North Carolina (11-2) at 7 Ohio State (11-1)
Quarterfinals
Sugar Bowl: 2 Alabama (12-1) vs. Ohio State-UNC winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 39%
Buckeyes championship odds: 18%
2016
First Round
12 Western Michigan (13-0) at 5 Ohio State (11-1)
Quarterfinals
Cotton Bowl: 4 Penn State (11-2) vs. Ohio State-WMU winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 45%
Buckeyes championship odds: N/A
2017
Quarterfinals
Fiesta Bowl: 4 Ohio State vs. Alabama-UCF winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 48%
Buckeyes championship odds: 18%
2018
Quarterfinals
Rose Bowl: 4 Ohio State (12-1) vs. Notre Dame-Penn State winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 59%
Buckeyes championship odds: N/A
2019
Quarterfinals
Rose Bowl: 2 Ohio State (13-0) vs. Baylor-Penn State winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 78%
Buckeyes championship odds: 36%
2020
Quarterfinals
Cotton Bowl: 3 Ohio State (6-0) vs. Texas A&M-Indiana winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 73%
Buckeyes championship odds: 18%
2021
First Round
10 Michigan State (10-2) at 7 Ohio State (10-2)
Quarterfinals
Rose Bowl: 2 Michigan (12-1) vs. Ohio State-Michigan State winner
Buckeyes semifinal odds, per SP+: 56%
Buckeyes championship odds: 22%
EXPANDED CFP APPEARANCES BY TEAM (VIA ESPN SIMULATION)
8: Ohio State
7: Alabama
6: Clemson, Oklahoma
5: Georgia
4: Notre Dame, Penn State
Big Ten DC tells ESPN that Marvin Harrison Jr. is ‘by far’ best player in Big Ten
ESPN senior writer Adam Rittenberg contacted more than 45 head coaches and coordinators in the Power Five to find out who are the best players in each conference.
The answer for the Big Ten was clear cut: Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
“He’s unbelievable,” a Big Ten coach told ESPN. “He may be the best one they’ve ever had. He’s just so big, and he catches everything. His ball skills are ridiculous.”
According to Rittenberg, a Big Ten DC said Harrison is the conference’s top player “by far.”
Rittenberg notes in his piece that Big Ten coaches spoke highly Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud but not as highly as they did about Harrison, who is the first Ohio State player to earn Big Ten Receiver of the Year honors (more on that below). Harrison is tied for third nationally with 12 touchdown grabs this season, and he is one of two Ohio State wideouts to go over 1,000 yards this year.
Buckeyes collect All-Big Ten honors
The Big Ten released its offensive accolades Wednesday. Eleven Buckeyes players earned All-Big Ten offensive honors. Four were named to the conference’s first team: wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., quarterback C.J. Stroud, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and left guard Donovan Jackson.
Here’s who else was recognized:
All-Big Ten Second Team:
All-Big Ten Third Team:
- RB Miyan Williams
- OC Luke Wypler
- TE Cade Stover
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention:
Speaking of awards…
Stroud was crowned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Quarterback of the Year for the second year in a row. He was also tabbed as one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award.
READ: C.J. Stroud recognized as Walter Camp Player of the Year finalist
Seven Buckeyes players were listed as Pro Football Focus All-Americans this week. Interestingly enough, Stroud wasn’t one of them. Check out who stood out to PFF below (spoiler: the O-Line got some love).
READ: Seven Ohio State players tabbed PFF All-Americans
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 360 days
Are you subscribed yet?
Are you ready to get all your latest Ohio State news in one place? Become a member of Lettermen Row today. With your Lettermen Row/On3+ membership, you’ll not only have access to the everything that’s happening with the Buckeyes, but you’ll also be able to peruse other fan sites within the network to hear just how rivals are feeling about Ohio State, as well. Make sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram and on Youtube for all the latest Buckeyes news you need to know.
Already signed up? Don’t forget to join us in the Lettermen Lounge to talk about the latest Ohio State sports news.
