All is not lost for the Ohio State Buckeyes despite losing their annual rivalry clash against the Michigan Wolverines. Ohio State is still projected to make the College Football Playoff.
There are several potential opponents for the Buckeyes, but one particular matchup against an ACC squad has some star power. Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan’s latest bowl projections has the Buckeyes as the No. 8 seed facing the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers.
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura is a little more bullish on Ohio State’s ranking and projects the Buckeyes as the No. 6 seed. The analyst’s projections have Ohio State taking on the No. 11 Miami Hurricanes led by star quarterback Cam Ward.
The Hurricanes quarterback is one of the most marketable college football players with a projected NIL value of $2.1 million, per On3.com. Bonagura has Ohio State advancing to face the No. 3 SMU Mustangs in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal matchup.
“For Ohio State, the loss to Michigan was frustrating for all the obvious reasons, but I’m not convinced it will have a significant impact on the Buckeyes’ seeding,” Bonagura wrote on Dec. 1. “… In a strange way, it could end up being beneficial as now the Buckeyes won’t be subject to injury risks in the Big Ten title game and they get a chance to reset. ”
After a disappointing performance versus Michigan, the pressure is on Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day to make some noise in the College Football Playoff.