Ohio State makes Big Ten defense history; a perfect playoff path; Kayden McDonald, Phillip Daniels, Matt Campbell: Doug Rants

Ten thoughts on the Buckeyes and college football

What if the Buckeyes got another shot at Georgia in the playoff, after the loss to the Dawgs in this 2022 semifinal? (Photo courtesy of Ohio State)

10 thoughts on Ohio State and college football before Ohio State takes on Indiana on Saturday night in the Big Ten Championship.

1. This question from Evan in Oregon arrived recently and I should answer it now before we get the actual playoff bracket on Sunday afternoon.

   Last year we had a pretty sweet road to the championship; home game against the SEC, Revenge game, SEC game in the South, Natty over Blueblood. What would be your handpicked road to our second natty in a row?

   Really was quite a path last year, eh?

   Let’s talk about it as if Ohio State will be the No. 1 seed. If Georgia wins the SEC, it looks like the 8-9 game would be Oklahoma-Alabama. If Alabama wins the SEC, the teams bumping down would probably create a Texas A&M-Oklahoma 8-9.

   Bill (sitting in the hotel bed next to me) notes that the Oklahoma defense would offer an interesting matchup. That would also lead me to write a “Did Ohio State break Brent Venables?” story about the Sooners head coach after what Ohio State did to him as a Clemson defensive coordinator in 2020.

   So give me Alabama in that situation. You always want Bama. The Buckeyes and Tide are scheduled for their home-and-home series in 2027 and 2028, but let’s do it now.