Ohio State plays Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
The college football season culminates with bowl games, and everyone wants to know who their team will face. A frequent question among Buckeye fans is, “who does ohio state play in a bowl game?”. This year, the answer leads them to a clash with a formidable SEC opponent.
Ohio State earned a spot in the Cotton Bowl, setting up an exciting matchup. They will go head-to-head with the Missouri Tigers. This game promises plenty of action, as both teams look to end their seasons on a high note.
Who Does Ohio State Play in a Bowl Game?
Alright Buckeye fans, let’s talk about something super exciting: Bowl Games! After a long, hard season of college football, the Ohio State Buckeyes have a chance to show off their skills in one of the big end-of-year bowl games. But who exactly will they be playing? It’s not always easy to figure out, so let’s break down how these matchups are decided and what it means for the Buckeyes.
Understanding the Bowl Game System
First, it’s important to understand how college football bowl games work. Unlike playoffs where the best teams always play each other, bowl games involve lots of different conferences, and agreements. These games are a big reward for teams that have had a winning season, and they’re a great way for fans to see their favorite teams compete against opponents they don’t usually play. For example, Ohio State, as a member of the Big Ten Conference, often has bowl game tie-ins with certain bowls based on their performance during the season.
Conference Tie-Ins: The First Piece of the Puzzle
Most bowl games are tied to specific conferences. This means certain conferences have agreements to send their teams to certain bowls. The Big Ten, where Ohio State plays, has a good number of these tie-ins. The Rose Bowl is historically a very important bowl for the Big Ten, but other bowls like the Citrus Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl, and the Cotton Bowl can also be in the mix. The College Football Playoff also plays a huge role, and we’ll talk about that next.
- The Rose Bowl: This bowl has a very long and special connection to the Big Ten. If Ohio State has a great season and doesn’t make the College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl is a very likely destination.
- The Citrus Bowl: This is another very important bowl for the Big Ten. It usually hosts the second highest ranked team from the Big Ten that is not included in the CFP.
- Other Bowl Tie-Ins: There are other Big Ten tie-ins that vary year to year. These bowls help determine who plays who if Ohio State doesn’t make it to a premier game.
The College Football Playoff: The Ultimate Goal
The biggest bowl games of all are the College Football Playoff (CFP) games. The CFP is a system that selects the four best teams in the country to compete for the national championship. If Ohio State has an amazing season, they could be one of these four teams. The CFP games rotate, but they always include two semifinal games and then a final National Championship game.
How the CFP Works
A selection committee decides the top four teams. These rankings usually come out towards the end of the season, and they change week to week based on games. It’s a very big deal to be in the top four because it means a chance to compete for the national title. This changes who Ohio State will play. If they are in the top four, it means they will play in one of the semifinal games. It could be against any of the top four teams that are selected for the CFP.
CFP Semifinal Matchups
- Rotating Bowl Sites: The CFP semifinal games rotate between a set of six bowl sites: The Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Peach Bowl. Depending on the year and the ranking, Ohio State could end up in any of these.
- National Championship Game: The winner of each semifinal game then faces off in the National Championship game. This means if the Buckeyes make it to the championship, they are playing the best team from the other semi final game.
What Happens If Ohio State Doesn’t Make the CFP?
Even if Ohio State has a great season but doesn’t quite make the College Football Playoff, there are still fantastic bowl game possibilities. These games still give the Buckeyes a chance to shine and end their season on a high note. Let’s explore some likely scenarios.
The New Year’s Six Bowls
The New Year’s Six bowls are a set of six high-profile bowl games that are often part of the CFP rotation but can also host other highly ranked teams. Even if Ohio State is not in the CFP, they are likely to be selected to one of these high profile games if they have an impressive record.
- The Rose Bowl: As we mentioned before, the Rose Bowl is a very big deal for the Big Ten.
- Other New Year’s Six Bowls: Other New Year’s Six bowls like the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Cotton Bowl often feature a mix of top teams from different conferences that weren’t selected for the CFP.
Other Bowl Game Possibilities
If the Buckeyes don’t make the New Year’s Six bowls, they’ll likely be placed in another very good bowl. Some of the tie-ins for the Big Ten conference could result in playing a team from the ACC or SEC, or even other strong conferences like the Big 12. The exact game will depend on the overall standings and conference agreements for that particular year.
How the Matchups Are Determined: Beyond Rankings
While team rankings play a big role in bowl game selection, there are other factors involved too. Bowl selection committees consider things like overall record, conference performance, and marketability of the game. This means, sometimes, a team with a slightly lower ranking might get picked for a bigger bowl game because they have a huge fan base or provide an exciting matchup.
Factors Beyond Ranking
- Conference Balance: Bowl committees try to create matchups that are exciting and even. They might look for a team with a certain style of play to provide an exciting contrast to another team.
- Geographic Location: Bowls might want to have teams that will travel well and that will provide local fans a better experience, and make more money for all those involved in the bowl.
- TV Ratings: Bowls, and by proxy, TV networks want matchups that will have a lot of people watching. The better the game looks, the more people want to watch it.
The Importance of Bowl Games
Bowl games are more than just a chance for a team to play an extra game. They’re a big part of college football culture. Here are a few reasons why they matter:
- Prestige and Tradition: Bowls have a very rich history and tradition. Playing in a bowl game is considered a very big deal and creates memories for players and fans alike.
- Extra Practice Time: Bowl practices can give the team extra time to work on their skills and prepare for the next season.
- Recruiting: Winning bowl games makes a program look attractive to potential recruits. So, these games are good for the future of the school’s football program.
- Fan Engagement: Bowl games give fans one more game to watch their favorite team and celebrate a winning season. It also makes it exciting because the game might be somewhere different than where the team is based and might play teams it doesn’t normally play.
Predicting the Future: What Could This Year Look Like for the Buckeyes?
It’s always exciting to guess where the Buckeyes might land in the bowl game season. While it’s impossible to know exactly what will happen until the end of the season, here are some things to keep in mind:
Key Factors for Ohio State’s Bowl Game Destination
- Regular Season Record: How well the Buckeyes perform throughout the season is the single biggest factor. The more they win, the better their chance for a big bowl.
- Big Ten Championship Game: Winning the Big Ten Championship game is also very important because it will likely guarantee a spot in a New Years Six bowl.
- National Rankings: The national rankings, especially toward the end of the season, decide the CFP selections. These will change every week and influence the bowl that the Buckeyes end up in.
Potential Opponents
Depending on how the season plays out, the Buckeyes could face very different types of opponents in their bowl game. Here are a few possibilities:
- Another Top Big Ten Team: If Ohio State does not win the Big Ten, it could be selected to play another high ranking Big Ten team in a New Years Six Bowl.
- A Team From the SEC: The SEC is the other biggest conference in college football. A bowl matchup with one of their top teams is always a possibility.
- A Team From the ACC or Big 12: Depending on bowl tie ins, they could play a team from either of these conferences.
Remember that these are just possibilities! The specific opponent will depend on the results of all of the other teams across the country. Let’s keep watching the season play out!
So, while we can’t say exactly who Ohio State will be playing in their bowl game just yet, we now have a good understanding of how these matchups are decided and what it means for the Buckeyes. Keep cheering on your team and get ready for some exciting bowl game action!
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon Ducks Rose Bowl Highlights | 2024-25 CFP
Final Thoughts
The Buckeyes secured their bowl game spot; this is a must-see event for fans. They face the Missouri Tigers in the Cotton Bowl. The game promises exciting football, as both teams bring talent and strong play.
So, who does Ohio State play in a bowl game? It is Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. Prepare for a great matchup.
