Ohio State football: 3 teams that can put Buckeyes on upset alert in 2020

Ohio State football is favored to win the Big Ten and make the College Football Playoff but these three teams could prove to put the Buckeyes on upset alert.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are my pick to win the Big Ten and make the National Championship Game. But if they don’t make it to the College Football Playoff, it likely will be as a result of losing to one of these three teams that derailed Ryan Day, Justin Fields and the Buckeye’s championship aspirations.

Looking at the Ohio State football schedule and it presents the usual challenges of playing in the competitive Big Ten conference. But the 2020 Ohio State schedule also features an intriguing non-conference road game that could either give the Buckeyes a great strength of schedule in the playoff argument. Or, it could present an early stumbling block that ends their hopes of an undefeated season and depending on what else happens around the conference could be the difference in making the playoff or not.

It’s still just early May, but without spring practices and a few months before (hopefully) fall camp begins and players get ready for the 2020 college football season, let’s take a look at a trio of matchups that could put Ohio State football on upset alert.

3. Wisconsin Badgers (Big Ten Championship Game)

This would be in a potential Big Ten Championship Game as the Badgers aren’t on the regular-season schedule. Minnesota and Wisconsin are the top two contenders in the Big Ten West with Iowa looming as a third challenger. Wisconsin may be a top-five team this year despite losing All-American Jonathan Taylor to the NFL Draft and is my pick to win the conference today.

Wisconsin doesn’t have the skill position players that Ohio State can run out on offense, especially at quarterback where there will be a significant talent disparity between Fields and Jack Coan and/or Graham Mertz. But when you get to conference championship games, anything can happen, as Ohio State football fans can attest.

The Buckeyes would be the favorites if you matched the rosters against each other, but in a neutral-site, weird things tend to happen and the Badgers have a defense and a great coach in Paul Chryst that could take advantage of any mistakes by the Buckeyes and find a way to pull off an upset.

2. Oregon Ducks (Sep. 12 – Eugene, Oregon)

The second game of the year will be the first big test for the Buckeyes when they travel to Autzen to take on the Oregon Ducks in Eugene. This is a rare non-conference game for the Buckeyes in an era when most marquee non-conference games like this are played at neutral sites. I’m in favor of true home games and having the games on campus so I’m totally on board with this and hope it’ll spark a trend across the country.

However, this may not be a traditional home game after the Oregon governor banned large gatherings through the month of September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The typical home-field advantage Oregon would enjoy in their thunderous stadium will be gone, which would lead to being a positive for Ohio State. Although, it could be just the type of weird confluence of events that leads to straight-up weird things happening that defy logic and without explanation.

Oregon is still a good team despite not having Justin Herbert under center because Tyler Shough could step right in and the Ducks offense may not miss much of a beat despite not having the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft leading the offense.

Head coach Mario Cristobal has already left his impression on the program with the way he’s recruited, especially on the defensive side with sophomore defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and freshman linebackers Justin Shorter and Noah Sewell, the younger brother of All-American left tackle Penei Sewell.

1. Penn State (Oct. 24 – State College, PA.)

Oh, you were expecting the Ohio State football rival who plays their home games up north to be in the No. 1 spot? Yeah, that’s not happening. I can’t take a team seriously as a threat if they haven’t beaten their rival since 2011 and has one win since 2003 as an upset special.

Sorry, not sorry Michigan fans.

For the last three years, Ohio State vs. Penn State was a battle of top-10 teams and it’s expected to make it four years when they meet in late October. This is the toughest game of the year for the Buckeyes. it’s a tough road environment against a team that has played them tougher than any Big Ten team in recent years.

Penn State beat Ohio State in 2016 to keep them out of the playoff and then lost by a combined two points in 2017 and 2018 before an 11-point loss in 2019. Now that they have the Buckeyes coming to Happy Valley, you can expect a “White Out” in the stands and for College GameDay to be in attendance. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a battle of two unbeaten teams.

Why this could be interesting is Ohio State will be coming off what could be a physical game with Iowa and then a road game at Michigan State before traveling to Penn State. Meanwhile, Penn State will be coming off their home game with Iowa after having a bye week the week before to rest up after their clash with Michigan.

There’s a slight advantage for the Nittany Lions who could be slightly more refreshed and healthier to pull off upset of the Buckeyes.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.