Ohio State fans are still holding on to hope that the Buckeyes can somehow once again squeak into the College Football Playoffs, but in all likelihood, Urban Meyer’s squad is destined for a New Year’s Six bowl game.
One possibility is the Rose Bowl, where a matchup against the Pac-12 champion would await. This scenario would of course require the Buckeyes to jump the loser of the Big Ten championship game in the College Football Playoffs rankings.
The Rose Bowl will likely take the highest-ranked Big 10 team that doesn’t qualify for the playoffs.
If Pasadena passes on Ohio State, the Buckeyes will play in either the Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl as an at-large team.
If it is the Fiesta Bowl, a matchup against Houston and former offensive coordinator Tom Herman becomes a strong possibility.
If the Cougars defeat Temple in the AAC championship game Saturday, Houston will earn an automatic bid to a New Year’s Six game as the highest-ranked Group of Five team.
CBS Sports guru Jerry Palm is predicted an Ohio State versus Houston Fiesta Bowl matchup in his lastest bowl projections.
Via CBS Sports:
Ohio State will still get a nice landing spot after whipping Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday. The Buckeyes could end up in the Rose Bowl, but at worst, they will play in one of the New Year’s Six games. Ohio State will likely finish in the top six of the CFP Rankings, and as I just discussed, has an outside shot at a playoff spot.
Ohio State fans took to Twitter following a 17-14 loss to Michigan State to express how much they miss Herman’s play calling. The Buckeyes compiled just 132 yards of total offense during the Nov. 21 loss.
Houston, meanwhile, went 11-1 in its first season with Herman as head coach.
[FBTW]
