CFP Predictions: Why Ohio State Could Win National Title
- Get the best College Football Playoff odds at BetUS.
- The Tennessee vs Ohio State betting lines have the Buckeyes as the favorite in the first round.
- Can the Buckeyes win their first national title since 2014?
A loss to rival Michigan might have kept Ohio State out of the Big Ten Championship Game again, but it did not cost the Buckeyes a shot at winning the national championship. Despite not playing for the Big Ten title, the Buckeyes earned one of the 12 spots in the College Football Playoff and home-field advantage against Tennessee in the first round.
When looking at the college football futures odds, Ohio State began the season second only to Georgia in the odds of winning the national championship. The championship odds have moved from +380 to +550 since the start of the season.
NCAAF lines have Ohio State favored by 7 points in the Dec. 21 home matchup against Tennessee. It might be the only time that the Buckeyes are favored in this season’s College Football Playoffs.
Keep on reading to see how Ohio State can make a run at the national title.
4 Reasons Why Ohio State Can Win National Title
1. Sequel Could Top The Original
If Ohio State gets by Tennessee in the first round, it would set up a rematch with top-seeded Oregon.
Not done yet Buckeye Nation‼️🔥
Get ready to pack The Shoe 1️⃣ last time this season December 21st when the Bucks take on the Vols 🏟️ Will you be there❓⬇️#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/IiafogVCrT
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) December 10, 2024
The Ducks are the only remaining undefeated team at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. The closest that Oregon came to losing was in a mid-October clash with Ohio State. The Ducks turned two Ohio State turnovers into 10 points and held on for a one-point win.
If the teams meet again, it will be at the Rose Bowl in a (somewhat) neutral site rather than having to play the game on Oregon’s home field. That would be a major step for the Buckeyes if they can take out the Ducks and quiet the skeptics who look at Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day’s dreadful record against top-five teams.
Ohio State could fall to Tennessee in its opener or be the last team standing when the new national champion is crowned. Stay tuned.
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2. Time to Recover
Ohio State would have preferred to have been the team lining up against Oregon in the Big Ten title game. However, not getting into that game does give the Buckeyes three weeks to put the frustration of another loss to Michigan out of its minds.
The Buckeyes had an impressive effort in handing Indiana its first loss of the season before stumbling in the rivalry game against Michigan. That is plenty of time to study the tape and clean up some of the issues on the offensive side of the ball that proved so costly.
Those making NCAAF predictions aren’t ready to roll with the Buckeyes, and playing the role of the underdog in the quarterfinals and beyond could be just what Ohio State needs to prove it can win the big games.
3. A Lack of Talent Is Not An Issue
Ohio State added former Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs, rated as the top transfer in the country, along with Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins via the transfer portal. Even though the only time freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith was held under 40 receiving yards came in the final two games of the regular season, he is still one of the top newcomers in college football.
2️⃣ Buckeyes earn @CBSSports x @247Sports 1st Team All-American honors 🇺🇸
📌 @Seth_Mc24
📌 @caleb_downs2 pic.twitter.com/NaQD3ntyH7— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 11, 2024
When looking at the rosters, Ohio State looks to match up well with pretty much every team it could face in the College Football Playoffs. Running backs Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson join wideout Smith as top Ohio State player prop options.
The Buckeyes have allowed the fewest yards and fewest points per game in the country, per NCAAF betting trends. That defense led by Sonny Styles, Cody Simon and Downs, should keep Ohio State in any game. Twelve of the top 14 tacklers are either juniors or seniors.
4. Will Buckeyes Learn From Their Mistakes?
Those who bet online might not want to harp on the one-point loss to Oregon or the seven-point loss to Michigan. Don’t forget that Ohio State went into Happy Valley and handed host Penn State a 20-13 loss and held a talented Indiana team to 151 yards of offense.
There could be some tempting odds for Ohio State if the Buckeyes get by Tennessee based on the Buckeyes’ checkered past when the lights are the brightest. There could still be some value in picking Ohio State as an underdog later in the CFP and to win the national title. Keep that in mind when making NCAA picks.
Questions of the Day
What were Ohio State’s odds of winning the national championship at the start of the season?
Ohio State was priced at +380 in the odds of winning the national championship at the start of the season.
How has Ohio State fared in recent postseason games?
Ohio State has lost to Missouri and Georgia in its last two postseason contests.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
