Ohio State in the NCAA Playoffs: An Overview
Ohio State is one of the most successful college football programs in the country. The Buckeyes have won eight national championships, have appeared in over 50 bowl games, and are perennially ranked in the top 10 in the country. But is Ohio State in the NCAA playoffs?
The short answer is no, Ohio State is not in the NCAA playoffs. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference and are not eligible for the College Football Playoff (CFP). However, Ohio State is eligible for other postseason bowl games and tournaments.
Why Ohio State is Not in the NCAA Playoffs
The College Football Playoff is a four-team playoff system that determines the national champion of college football. The teams that qualify for the CFP are chosen by a committee based on rankings, strength of schedule, and overall performance. The Big Ten Conference does not participate in the CFP and therefore, Ohio State is not eligible to participate.
Postseason Opportunities
Although Ohio State is not eligible for the CFP, the Buckeyes are still eligible for other postseason bowl games and tournaments.
New Year’s Six Bowl Games
The New Year’s Six bowl games are the six most prestigious bowl games in college football. Ohio State is eligible to participate in these games if they meet certain criteria. The criteria include winning the Big Ten championship, having an overall winning record, and being ranked in the top 25 in the final CFP rankings.
Other Bowl Games
In addition to the New Year’s Six Bowl Games, Ohio State is eligible to participate in other bowl games if they meet certain criteria. The criteria for these games are similar to the criteria for the New Year’s Six Bowl Games.
College Football Playoffs
The College Football Playoffs are a four-team tournament that determines the national champion of college football. Ohio State is not eligible to participate in the CFP, as the Big Ten Conference does not have a representative in the tournament.
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) was a four-team tournament that determined the national champion of college football from 1998 to 2013. Ohio State was eligible to participate in the BCS if they met certain criteria, such as winning the Big Ten championship and being ranked in the top 25 in the final BCS rankings.
Ohio State’s Recent Postseason Success
Ohio State has had a great deal of success in the postseason in recent years. The Buckeyes have won two Big Ten Championships (2014 and 2017) and have appeared in the New Year’s Six Bowl Games five times (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018). In addition, Ohio State made an appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2016, where they lost to eventual champion Clemson in the semifinal.
What’s Next for Ohio State?
Ohio State is in a good position to have another successful season in 2019. The Buckeyes have a talented roster and are expected to compete for the Big Ten championship. If they can win the conference championship, they will be eligible to participate in the New Year’s Six Bowl Games.
Conclusion
Ohio State is one of the most successful college football programs in the country. However, the Buckeyes are not eligible for the College Football Playoff as they are a member of the Big Ten Conference. Despite this, Ohio State is eligible for other postseason bowl games and tournaments, such as the New Year’s Six Bowl Games. The Buckeyes have had a great deal of success in the postseason in recent years and are in a good position to have another successful season in 2019.