College Football Playoff 2020: Projected top 4 after Week 3

4. Ohio State Buckeyes (0-0)

It’s been a long, crazy ride for Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten in 2020. Their fall season was postponed due to the potential impact of the novel coronavirus but the coaches and players still prepared and protested for a potential campaign. This is a group that does not give as they will now focus on an eight-game Big Ten schedule.

In a span of a few weeks, the Buckeyes were ranked second in the preseason AP Top 25 to unranked. They will now find themselves back in the rankings when their season starts on Oct. 24 against Nebraska. They will have a generous schedule as they host Nebraska and top rival Michigan.

Dynamic dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields has been vocal for playing football in the fall. Now his patience pays off as he will get another chance to compete for the College Football Playoff.

The Buckeyes starting right guard Wyatt Davis and cornerback Shaun Wade previously decided to opt out of the season for a potential spring season in 2021. After the reinstatement of Big Ten football in the fall, both Davis and Wade decided to opt back in.

It will be over a month before the Buckeyes will play competitive football, but this will make up for lost time from the lack of team practices during the duration of the postponed season. Look for the Buckeyes to be nationwide media attention as they will still be playoff-contending favorites despite their first game being in late October.