As the College Football Playoff (CFP) approaches, a familiar question surrounds the Ohio State Buckeyes: has their schedule adequately prepared them for the rigors of postseason play? The debate over strength of schedule has long been a flashpoint in college football, and the 2025 season is no exception for Ohio State. While their record shines, analysts and fans are divided on whether the Buckeyes need more “tests” to be truly playoff-ready.
Does Ohio State Need to be Tested Before the College Football Playoff?
The Case for Concern: Strength of Schedule and Rust
The primary argument for the Buckeyes needing more challenges is the perceived lack of high-stakes, competitive games during their regular season run. Ohio State has often been a heavy favorite in their matchups, cruising to comfortable victories against many Big Ten opponents. Critics argue that these dominant wins, while impressive on paper, may not simulate the intense, back-and-forth pressure of a playoff game against an elite team like an SEC powerhouse or a strong Big 12 contender.
The fear is not that Ohio State lacks talent, their roster is consistently one of the most talented in the nation. Rather, the concern is about “rust” or a lack of experience in tight, four-quarter battles. If the Buckeyes haven’t been forced to execute flawlessly in high-pressure situations, they might falter when faced with adversity in the CFP. A close loss to a rival, while potentially damaging for a four-team playoff format, can, in a 12-team system, offer valuable lessons and a motivational boost that an undefeated season of blowouts cannot.
The Counter-Argument: Dominance as Preparation
On the other side of the debate, many argue that Ohio State’s dominance is, in itself, a testament to their readiness. The goal of a top-tier team is to win convincingly, and the Buckeyes have done just that. Playing at a high level week in and week out, focusing on execution and minimizing mistakes, is a form of preparation. Proponents of this view maintain that the Buckeyes are simply a superior team to many of their regular season opponents, and their margins of victory reflect their talent and coaching, not a “weak” schedule.
Furthermore, the expanded 12-team playoff format changes the dynamics. With a first-round bye a possibility for top seeds, Ohio State might enter the quarterfinals slightly more rested than teams that had to play the opening weekend. The regular season’s primary goal is to secure a playoff spot and favorable seeding; how one gets there, as long as they are winning, is less important than their performance once the playoff begins.
Lessons from the Past, Outlook for the Future
The 2024 season provided an interesting data point. After a regular season that ended with a loss to the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State entered the CFP as an 8th seed but went on a “redemption tour” and won the national championship. This history is used by both sides of the debate: some say the loss made them battle-tested, while others suggest the expanded format allowed a team with a late-season stumble to win the title.
Ultimately, the question of whether Ohio State “needs” more tests is a theoretical one until the playoff games are played. The true measure of their readiness will come when they face a fellow elite contender on the grand stage of the College Football Playoff, but Ohio State also has a road game coming up against Michigan and a potential Big Ten Championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers, so they will more than likely be tested in one of those games, if not both.
Quarterback Julian Sayin has been outstanding this season and it will be interesting to see how he performs for the remainder of the season in much more difficult matchups. The regular season is a journey, but the postseason is where championships are won and all questions about preparation are definitively answered on the field.
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