COLUMBUS, Ohio — Much like this time a year ago, Ohio State enters the final week of its regular season with one loss on its resume and its postseason aspirations still up in the air.
But unlike last season, which ultimately resulted in the Buckeyes capturing the first-ever College Football Playoff championship, Ohio State doesn’t control its own destiny and is going to need help if it’s going to have any shot at defending its crown.
The Buckeyes’ 17-14 last-second loss to Michigan State on Saturday transferred control of the Big Ten East to the Spartans, with Ohio State and Michigan still in contention for the right to play Iowa in the Big Ten title game.
The Buckeyes and Wolverines will play each other in Ann Arbor at noon next weekend, with the winner having their championship hopes decided 65 miles away in the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff between Michigan State and Penn State.
If the Spartans beat the Nittany Lions, they win the Big Ten East and advance to Indianapolis for a potential playoff play-in game with the Hawkeyes. If Penn State pulls off the upset, a delayed celebration will occur for the winner in the Ohio State and Michigan’s matchup.
In the Buckeyes’ dream scenario, they’d beat the ranked Wolverines, the Nittany Lions would take down Michigan State and OSU would go on to add a win over an undefeated Iowa team to their resume.
But with what happened on Saturday, all of that looks much easier said than done.
Particularly when it comes to the…
Continue Reading: Ohio State’s Playoff Hopes Are Dead After Loss to Michigan State
