June 28, 2026

Why Ohio State’s defense doesn’t yet stack up with other playoff contenders: The College Football Playoff Show


COLLEGE FOOTBALL, USA — Alabama’s defense could lead it to a national title this season. So could Clemson’s defense. So could Georgia’s defense. Ohio State’s defense, you would think, could not. At least not at the moment. It shouldn’t have to, not with an offense that includes the best group of receivers and one of the best offensive lines in college football. But when you stack defenses among the best teams in college football, the Buckeyes right now have more questions. On this edition of the new national podcast The College Football Playoff Show, co-hosts Doug Lesmerises and Shehan Jeyarajah rank all the contenders based on their defense. That means Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Texas A&M and maybe Georgia. The first half of the podcast is determining whether Georgia belongs in that playoff discussion. Each week, Doug and Shehan debate a playoff contender and then, along with…

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