2 reasons Ohio State will win the national championship this season

1. Ohio State has the easiest path to the College Football Playoff

Without question, the best thing the Buckeyes have going for them is the easiest schedule of any serious national title contender out of the Power Five. Their toughest game will be a non-conference affair vs. the Pac-12 contender Oregon Ducks. Fortunately for Ohio State, that game early September date will be in The Horseshoe instead of in the liquid sunshine at Autzen Stadium.

Even if Tulsa is a sneaky game, Ohio State should still get to 3-0 in the non-conference. As far as who could stun the Buckeyes in Big Ten play, the Indiana Hoosiers are probably the best bet to do so shortly before Halloween. Ohio State does not face Big Ten West contenders Iowa, Northwestern or Wisconsin during the regular season. The Penn State game will be in Columbus.

Overall, Ohio State should be able to get to Indianapolis at a perfect 12-0. Since no Big Ten West team has ever beaten a Big Ten East team in Lucas Oil Stadium before, Ohio State should feel comfortable about getting to 13-0 and making the playoff as a top-two seed. They will not be as beaten up as the other Power Five champions out of the ACC, SEC, Big 12 … or even the Pac-12.

While it remains to be seen who Ohio State matches up with the other playoff teams, nobody is in the Buckeyes’ galaxy in the Big Ten presently. Stroud will not face the pressure of other starting quarterbacks on other Power Five contenders. Simply put, this team will not lose more than one regular-season game this year. If the Buckeyes get to Indianapolis undefeated, they can go 15-0.

Barring a catastrophe, Ohio State will be a top-five team throughout the upcoming college season.

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