Ranking how difficult Ohio State's potential CFP opponents are
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There are 12 teams in the College Football Playoff this year, which means 11 potential opponents for the Ohio State Buckeyes to face. Now, I think Ohio State feels that it can (and should) beat anyone. But, obviously, some opponents are more difficult than others. So, we'll rank the 11 teams based on who presents the toughest matchups for the Buckeyes. And we'll do it based on what round they can meet Ohio State in.
Toughest Cotton Bowl Matchups for Ohio State
- Texas A&M Aggies: Honestly, it's hard to really judge who presents a more difficult matchup for the Buckeyes. Based on both teams' last games, the correct answer might be Miami. But the Aggies do have more talent at the skill positions, along with a stingy defense and corners that might be able to slow (no one can stop) Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.
- Miami (FL) Hurricanes: Miami is not a bad team at all. And the Hurricanes were extremely impressive in dismantling Pitt to close the season. They can certainly challenge Ohio State. But at their best, they just don't match up as well as Texas A&M does.
Toughest Fiesta Bowl Matchups for Ohio State
3. Tulane Green Wave: We're going to switch it up for the last two sections and count down, instead of up. And no offense to Tulane, but the Green Wave just aren't as good. They can score, sure, but this team would be pretty easily lit up by Ohio State.
2. Georgia Bulldogs: Why is Georgia here and not Ole Miss? Honestly, because Ole Miss' offense scares me more. Georgia might have a better offensive line, but the Buckeye defense would still be able to get pressure, and Gunner Stockton doesn't quite have the same game-breaking mobility as Trinidad Chambliss does.
1. Ole Miss Rebels: Ole Miss has scarier skill position players than Georgia does, which makes the Rebels more likely to move the ball against the Ohio State secondary. I don't expect either to get too much pressure on Julian Sayin, though Georgia does have a faster defensive line. The Buckeyes should be able to beat both, but Ole Miss' offensive unpredictability makes the Rebels a slightly tougher matchup.
Toughest National Championship Game Matchups for Ohio State
6. James Madison Dukes: James Madison is a really good team. I think the Dukes can surprise some people and keep the game against Oregon competitive for a bit. But they're still shorter on talent than the rest of the field.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide: Is it surprising to see Alabama so low down on this list? Maybe. But that offense just doesn't scare me. The Buckeyes will be able to slow down the running game and get pressure on Ty Simpson. And the Alabama secondary won't be able to slow down Ohio State's elite receivers enough.
4. Oklahoma Sooners: Honestly, Oklahoma scares me just as little as Alabama does. The offense has the potential to be more dynamic, but it hasn't shown it much this year. The defensive line was more impressive than Alabama's more often this year, so the Sooners are slightly higher on this list.
3. Indiana Hoosiers: Indiana beat Ohio State and is the No. 1 seed, so why are they ranked here? Quite simply, because the Buckeyes should have won that game. Easily. Statistically, the Buckeyes controlled the game (particularly the second half). Some bad red zone play calls were the difference between a 13-10 loss and a two-score victory. If the offensive line plays just a drop better, that game's a blowout. No, Indiana doesn't scare me. Not nearly as much as the last two teams here.
2. Oregon Ducks: Oregon had a really good season, and the Ducks are loaded with offensive talent. But against the best opponents they've faced, the Ducks have slowed down. A lot. I think they would struggle against the Buckeye defense, but they're still a threat.
1. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Ohio State should still be better, but Texas Tech is scary. The Red Raiders played one poor game, but they dominated every single other team they faced this year, including some good ones. I expect Ohio State to repeat as champions this season. But if they don't, it's because an offensive explosion from Texas Tech overwhelmed everyone in the bracket. And the Red Raiders have a good defense, to boot.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ranking how scary Ohio State's potential CFP opponents are
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