Ohio State is the 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, will play 3 seed Clemson in Fiesta Bowl
Updated: Dec. 08, 2019, 4:53 p.m. |
Published: Dec. 08, 2019, 12:23 p.m.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day holds up the trophy after their 34-21 come from behind win over Wisconsin at the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 7, 2019. The win puts the Buckeyes at 13-0 and into the College Football Playoffs.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football's rough first half against Wisconsin did not cost the Buckeyes a Big Ten championship on Saturday.
It may, however, have cost them the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff — at least when paired with LSU's emphatic win over Georgia in the SEC championship game.
The Tigers (13-0) jumped up to take the top seed away from Ohio State in Sunday's final rankings. The No. 2 Buckeyes (13-0) will play No. 3 Clemson (13-0) in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on Dec. 28.
Clemson, the defending national champion, has won 28 straight games.
LSU and No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1) will play in the other semifinal, the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The winners will meet in New Orleans for the national championship game on Jan. 13.
By falling to the 2 seed, the Buckeyes earned a rematch with Clemson. The Tigers, as the 2 seed, beat Ohio State 31-0 in the 2016 CFP semifinals in the Fiesta Bowl.
Lesmerises: This is the Ohio State football team most ready to win the College Football Playoff
Doug Lesmerises on the Buckeyes' chances of winning it all.
The Fiesta Bowl becomes a matchup of two of the most balanced teams in the playoff field. Clemson ranks third nationally in total offense and first in total defense. Ohio State ranks fifth in total offense and second in total defense.
Ohio State will play in the College Football Playoff for the third time. The Buckeyes were the No. 4 seed in 2014, when they won the national championship, and No. 3 in 2016.
On both occasions, the Buckeyes went into the selection show uncertain of their fate. Same as 2017, when OSU thought it might make the final four but as snubbed in favor of Alabama as the No. 4 seed.
This time, Ohio State went into Sunday certain of its inclusion in the field. The only question was where the conference championship results — the ways OSU and LSU won, and who they beat — would flip the top two seeds. Ohio State and LSU were the only two teams ranked No. 1 once the committee began releasing its rankings.
Ohio State's previous two CFP appearances came under Urban Meyer. First-year head coach Ryan Day was not yet on the Buckeyes' staff for their last playoff appearance in 2016.
No top seed won the national championship in the first five years of the College Football Playoff.
Get Buckeyes Insider texts in your phone from Doug Lesmerises: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with the award-winning OSU football reporter, just like you would with your friends. Sign up for insight on the Buckeyes in your phone for $3.99 per month.
Ohio State football's interior offensive line thrives on competition, communication: Friday Focus
The 10 teams that lost rematches in conference championship games
Why Justin Fields and Ohio State look healthy for Saturday's title game
Chase Young extends Ohio State's run of Chicago Tribune Silver Football winners
Why Damon Arnette could lead OSU in tackles for a third time this season
Ohio State is winning and that's getting in the way of recruiting (which is fine)
Big Ten Championship predictions: The Buckeyes win their third straight conference title
To prevent Chase Young from feasting on third down, Wisconsin seeks first-down success
Two Ohio State football 2021 recruiting targets set commitment dates
Julian Fleming, OSU 2020 commit, a finalist for national Gatorade Player of the Year
How Ohio State's depth chart could change vs. Wisconsin
Which OSU players are inactive for Saturday?
Comparing resumes, schedules for college football playoff contenders
Buy Buckeyes gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, Lids
Buy Buckeyes tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster