15 non-conference games that will shape 2019 College Football Playoff

15 non-conference games that will shape the 2019 College Football Playoff

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 01: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball during the Big Ten Championship game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State won 45-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

15. Ohio State vs Cincinnati

Although it will more than likely come out as an Ohio State win (as the Buckeyes look poised for a potentially big season in 2019), their game against the in-state Cincinnati Bearcats draws a lot of appeal due to the fact that it is the Buckeye’s first game under new head coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes hired day after the departure of Urban Meyer, who was 83-9 in his career with Ohio State, and Day will be looking forward to what could be a statement game against Ohio State’s in-state competition.

The Buckeyes return a veteran offense led by J.K. Dobbins, KJ Hill, and Binjimen Victor. Despite losing Heisman finalist Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State landed the commitment of transfer Justin Fields from Georgia, whom the program is reportedly expecting to win eligibility from the NCAA. Should Fields win immediate eligibility, Day will have plenty of offensive tools to work with, despite some key departures from last year’s team that finished at No. 6 in the nation.

The second game of a long season, this game could either be a bad-taste upset, or a dominant victory for the Buckeyes against the Bearcats, who return key players from the team that won 11 games just last year. Players like, for example, Michael Warren II, who ran for 1329 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, as well as quarterback Desmond Ridder, return for the Bearcats. A win here would be an unspeakable benefit to the program. After the Buckeyes received a thrashing from Purdue just this past season, perhaps the Bearcats will fancy their shot early in Day’s career.

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