Big Ten: Top Teams’ College Football Playoff Odds

Ohio State (9-1, 6-1)

Ohio State found themselves at number two in the AP Polls this week and may find the same result in the College Football Playoff rankings. This team is about to sit comfy in the top four, and as long as they defeat Michigan, they shouldn’t move.

The Buckeyes have taken full advantage of Week 11. With three of the top four teams losing, Ohio State should fall right into the number two spot. Even with the chances of them playing in the Big Ten Championship practically gone, the Buckeyes are a favorite to make the College Football Playoff.

They’ve done everything they needed to at the right times to get to this spot. How they got to this position isn’t necessarily because of who they beat, but when the won. Their loss to Penn State came early enough in the season to allow them to work their way back into the top. Now, all they need to do is win their last two games.

The likelihood of Penn State losing to Rutgers or Michigan State is pretty slim. So, as long as Ohio State wins these last two games, their regular season will be over, and it’ll be up to the College Football Playoff committee to decide their future.

When you break it down, Ohio State’s playoff hopes look like this. Number two Clemson, number three Michigan, and number four Washington all lost in Week 11. Therefore, it’s very unlikely any of these teams jump Ohio State if the Buckeyes win their last two games.

Since they will most-likely not have to play in the Big Ten Championship, it’s going to be a matter of where teams outside the top four sit after the regular season ends. However, if they’re able to beat Michigan in Week 14, there’s almost 100% certainty Ohio State will return to the College Football Playoff.