Ohio State will play Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
The college football season always culminates in exciting bowl matchups, leaving fans wondering who their favorite teams will face. This year is no different, and many are asking, “who does Ohio State play in the bowl game?” The anticipation builds as the regular season wraps up.
The Buckeyes, with their rich tradition, secured a coveted spot in a major bowl. Their opponent presents a formidable challenge, making the game a must-watch for college football enthusiasts. Everyone wants to know how their game unfolds.
Who Does Ohio State Play in the Bowl Game?
Figuring out who the Ohio State Buckeyes are playing in their bowl game is a big deal for any fan. It’s the end-of-year showdown, the final chance to see your team in action, and it often sets the tone for the next season. It’s more than just a game; it’s a reward for a hard-fought season and a chance to make a statement on a national stage. So, let’s dive into what determines Ohio State’s bowl game opponent and the different possibilities they might face.
Understanding the Bowl Game Landscape
Bowl games aren’t just random matchups. They’re a carefully arranged series of games designed to reward successful teams and create exciting contests. The College Football Playoff (CFP) system plays a huge role in determining which bowl game Ohio State gets to play in. Let’s break down the key elements:
The College Football Playoff (CFP)
The CFP is the ultimate goal for any college football team. It involves the top four teams in the nation, as selected by a committee, playing in a semifinal round. The winners of those two games then face off in the National Championship. If Ohio State is ranked in the top four, they will be one of the four teams playing for the national title. This is the best possible bowl game scenario!
If the Buckeyes do not make the CFP playoff this is where things get a little more complicated. There are two main categories of bowls to consider: the New Years Six Bowls and the other bowl games.
New Year’s Six Bowls
These are the six most prestigious bowl games outside of the CFP National Championship game. Here’s a look at them:
- Rose Bowl: Traditionally pits the champions of the Big Ten against the champion of the Pac-12.
- Sugar Bowl: Typically features the champions of the SEC and the Big 12, but also has the capacity to include other at-large teams.
- Orange Bowl: Often matches up the champions of the ACC, with potentially other high-ranked teams.
- Cotton Bowl: It does not have a specific conference tie-in, it often includes an at-large team and high-ranking Group of Five champion.
- Fiesta Bowl: This is also a rotational bowl with various conference tie-ins or at-large bids.
- Peach Bowl: Similar to the Fiesta, it can feature a range of teams based on their standing.
Ohio State, being a member of the Big Ten conference, has the Rose Bowl as a potential destination, assuming the Big Ten champion does not make the CFP, in which case the next highest-ranked team would get the bid. But the other bowls are also in play for the Buckeyes as at-large selections if they are highly ranked and miss the CFP or Rose Bowl bid.
Other Bowl Games
Beyond the New Year’s Six, there are numerous other bowl games. The Big Ten has tie-ins with a number of these. The specific bowl that Ohio State plays in outside of the New Years Six can depend on several factors, such as:
- Their Record: A better record typically means a better bowl game placement.
- Conference Affiliations: The Big Ten has contracts with several bowl games, determining where teams within the conference are sent.
- Team Rankings: The committee takes rankings into account when selecting bowl games
Some of these other bowls include the Citrus Bowl, the ReliaQuest Bowl, the Music City Bowl, and others, and even these games are great opportunities to catch the Buckeyes.
How is the Matchup Determined?
The process of deciding who Ohio State plays in a bowl game involves several steps. Here’s the typical sequence of events:
The Regular Season Performance
First and foremost, the regular season record of Ohio State is incredibly important. How well they perform determines their ranking. A top four ranking would place them in the College Football Playoff. If the Buckeyes perform well and win a lot of games, they will have a much better chance of playing in a more prestigious bowl game. If they do not perform well then they will likely find themselves in one of the other lower bowl game options.
Conference Championships
If Ohio State wins the Big Ten Championship, they have a high likelihood of going to a big bowl game. If the conference champion is not selected for the CFP playoffs, the automatic bid for the Rose Bowl is next in line. If Ohio State is a runner-up in the championship game, their ranking would play a larger factor in where they are placed for their bowl game.
Selection Committee
A committee made up of athletic directors and sports leaders decides which teams go to the College Football Playoff. This committee also plays a vital role in determining the other New Year’s Six Bowl games. They are looking for the best combination of competitive matchups to create excitement for fans. The committee reviews records, conference championships, team strength, and more. The committee can look at the win and losses of a team as well as the difficulty of schedule of the team when determining the final bowl matchups.
Tie-Ins and Agreements
The bowl games have agreements or tie-ins with different conferences. This means the bowls have a preference for who they take from each conference. For example, if the Big Ten champion is in the CFP, the Rose Bowl will usually take the highest-ranked team from the Big Ten not in the playoff. The bowl committees also have to work around any specific tie-ins to determine other matchups.
At-Large Bids
Some bowl games can choose teams that are not tied to a specific conference. These are called at-large bids. They’re often based on the team’s ranking and national appeal. If Ohio State has a strong record and is a popular team, they are more likely to get an at-large bid.
Potential Opponents
Who might the Buckeyes face in their bowl game? The answer depends greatly on where they are ranked and what bowl game they are playing in. Let’s take a look at some possibilities:
College Football Playoff Scenarios
If Ohio State is one of the top four teams, their opponent will be one of the other top four teams. These will be the toughest games of the season because you will be playing the top teams in the country. If Ohio State wins their first CFP game they will go on to play in the National Championship.
New Year’s Six Bowl Opponents
If the Buckeyes are in one of the New Year’s Six Bowls but not the CFP, here are a few possible conference opponents they may face based on the bowl:
- Rose Bowl: The Rose Bowl often features the champion of the Pac-12 or the highest ranked team of that conference. This could be a matchup against a team from California, Oregon, Washington, or Utah.
- Sugar Bowl: If Ohio State is picked for this bowl, they could face one of the top teams from the SEC. This means they could play against a school like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas or Oklahoma
- Orange Bowl: A matchup against the ACC Champion or a highly ranked team from that conference. This could be a team such as Clemson, Florida State, or Miami.
- Cotton, Fiesta, Peach Bowl: These bowls could present a variety of matchups from other conferences, such as the Big 12, or against other at-large teams from any conference.
Other Bowl Game Opponents
For the other bowl games, Ohio State could face opponents from other Power Five conferences (like the ACC, Big 12, or Pac-12), or from teams that have performed well in the Group of Five conferences. These games might be against teams that have had strong seasons in their own conferences, though not quite at the level of the top teams.
Factors Influencing the Matchup
Several factors come into play when deciding the final matchups. These include:
Team Performance
The most important factor is the performance of the Ohio State football team itself. Winning a lot of games is a simple way to go to a higher-level bowl. Consistent performance throughout the season ensures that the Buckeyes stay in the national spotlight. A team with several losses will likely go to a lower-tier bowl game.
Conference Strength
The overall strength of the Big Ten Conference affects Ohio State’s potential bowl game opponent. A strong conference with many competitive teams often leads to higher rankings for its top teams.
National Rankings
The national rankings of teams play an important role. The higher a team is ranked, the better bowl game they will likely play in. These rankings are closely followed by the selection committee. This means teams with a higher ranking are more likely to play an opponent with a better ranking in a higher tier bowl.
Fan Appeal
While not the most important factor, the popularity of a team can influence bowl game selections. Bowl games want to generate maximum fan interest, so teams with large fan bases, such as Ohio State, are attractive options.
Why It Matters
The bowl game matchup matters greatly for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Here’s why:
National Stage
Bowl games give teams like the Buckeyes a chance to show the entire country just how good they are. The games are often televised nationally. This makes it an amazing opportunity for players to perform in front of a large audience.
Prestige and Legacy
Playing in a high-profile bowl game, especially the CFP or a New Year’s Six Bowl, gives a team a lot of prestige. A strong performance on this stage can boost team morale and build towards the next season. Winning these games can add to the legacy of a player, team, and coach.
Recruiting Advantage
Winning a major bowl game can be a great recruiting tool for any team. Top high school players want to play for successful teams, so a great bowl game showing can help bring in talented players.
Fan Experience
For the Buckeye fans, the bowl game is a huge event. Many fans will make the trip to watch their team play, wherever it might be. It’s a chance to celebrate a great season and watch some exciting football. This game is a unique experience for the fans, many of whom travel great distances to support their Buckeyes.
Staying Updated
The bowl game selection process is ever-changing until the final pairings are announced. If you want to stay on top of the latest developments, there are several resources to check, such as ESPN, CBS Sports, and official university websites. These resources offer the most current news regarding Ohio State’s bowl game status.
The bowl game matchup for Ohio State is always a big event. Where the Buckeyes end up, and who they end up playing, is the result of a season of hard work. It’s an exciting culmination to the season and an opportunity to see great football. Hopefully this breakdown helps fans understand the different possibilities of who Ohio State plays in the bowl game.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon Ducks Rose Bowl Highlights | 2024-25 CFP
Final Thoughts
Ohio State will play Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. The game presents a major challenge for the Buckeyes, and a must-watch for college football fans.
This matchup pits two strong teams against each other, adding to the excitement of bowl season. The question on everyone’s mind is, who does ohio state play in the bowl game? It’s a great game for end of the season.
