The loss of the Buckeyes of Ohio will be felt by the contenders to the playoffs of college football



[ad_1]

That's why the Big 12 is not over yet.

That's why the Ohio State-Michigan match has become even bigger – though that's also why the Big Ten has lost its chance to allow both teams to qualify for the semi-finals. .

That's why the 13 members of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee did not publish their first rankings until October 30th, as the story is just beginning to unfold and a setback can have an impact on the entire group of suitors.

2 related

When Purdue knocked down number 2 Ohio State 49-20 on Saturday night, he opened the door to another big debate on the day of the selection. Indeed, it is now guaranteed that the Big Ten will have a conference champion with at least one defeat. Big 12 and Pac-12. Instead of the luxury of parting from being undefeated, the Ohio State or Michigan must finish as a Big Ten champion to a defeat – and even that might not be enough for the Buckeyes if Oklahoma can lead the table and impress the selection committee in the Big 12 title game.

Despite their shortcomings, however, the Ohio State and Michigan are still claiming to rank among the top four and have the strength of the calendar to do so, but not together. Until today, the best chance for the Big Ten to enter two teams would have been to win and win the Michigan Big Ten. In this way, the only loss of Ohio State would have been caused by the Wolverines.

Now? It comes down to one or the other on November 24 – assuming, of course, that neither stumbles again before. Ohio State is now looking at Michigan in the Big Ten East standings.

"We have a chance of being 8-1, that's the goal," said Urban Meyer, coach of the Ohio State after the defeat of the Purdue. "There are serious gaps right now, we need to fix it."

Time and win / lose records only place teams so high in the committee rankings. To rank in the top four, teams must also pass the eye test, and Ohio State did not do so on Saturday. The Buckeyes were hammered – as last year, when they suffered a 31 point loss to Iowa, which did not allow the committee to pass. (Ohio State had also lost earlier against Oklahoma.) This was the second year in a row that the Big Ten champion was not ranked in the top four. A reminder: nothing guarantees a system as subjective as the playoffs.

"What happened last year against Iowa … we can still win the Big Ten Championship and do what we do to eventually participate in the playoffs," said quarterback Dwayne Haskins from the Ohio State.

On the same day, Ohio State lost, Oklahoma defeated TCU 52-27 and the committee compares its usual opponents. (Ohio State defeated TCU 40-28 on Sept. 15 in Arlington, Texas.)

Ohio State has been five times in the red zone against Purdue, a defeat, and has scored two goals, and the Buckeyes' defense has awarded 35 games over 25 yards this season – already five more than last year . Haskins (two touchdowns, one interception, 73 attempts) was outperformed by Purdue quarterback David Blough (three touchdowns, no interception).

"I thought we were coming here and playing our tail," Meyer said. "I think we had the opportunity to come back in. Every time you thought we were going back and coming back in the game, we did not score goals in the red zone … had a turn-over or a big hit. "

Ohio State and Michigan should both finish with a better program than Oklahoma, even though the Sooners still have a chance to beat a West Virginia ranked team on the road and possibly avenge their defeat against Texas during of the regular season by beating the Longhorns in the Big 12. title game.

Ohio State has a neutral victory over the site against the TCU and a road victory at Penn State. He could also impress the committee with a win at Michigan State on Nov. 10 and a home win against his rival Nov. 24 plus Big Ten titles. Michigan, which could end up with the country's best defeat if Notre Dame stays undefeated, would also have a playoff-worthy resume if they win the Big Ten. The Wolverines are in the middle of a three-game series against ranked opponents, having already beaten the No. 15 Wisconsin and the No. 24 Michigan State.

Ohio State is well used to being about to qualify for the semi-finals, as the 2014 Big Ten Championship match was exactly the boost the Buckeyes needed to get into the top four, while the Big Ten title against Wisconsin last year was not enough. for the two lost champions.

Ohio State's defeat against Purdue was another reminder not to prematurely eliminate teams like Oklahoma from a defeat, and Ohio State might not be the last undefeated team to fall. Clemson, Alabama and Notre Dame can still lose – just like Oklahoma.

That's why the state of Ohio might not be finished yet.

[ad_2]
Source link