This is the only way Ohio State can still make the College Football Playoff

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ hopes of returning to the College Football Playoff took a major hit with an upset loss to the Oregon Ducks. How can they recover?

The Buckeyes went into Saturday looking for a solid out-of-conference victory to add to their College Football Playoff resumé.

Instead, they got a potentially devastating loss.

All hope of making the playoff is not gone, though. There remains a path to postseason glory.

Ohio State football still has a road to the College Football Playoff

First and foremost, the Buckeyes have to win out. An early season loss can only be overcome if it’s the only loss on your resumé. Ohio State has a relatively easy ride until their bye week. The second half of the season includes more challenges playing at Indiana, against Penn State and at Michigan.

They also need some help from around the country.

It would benefit Ohio State greatly if Oregon went on to run through the Pac-12, winning the conference without losing. That would make the home loss look significantly better, especially since it will inevitably be compared with Clemson’s loss to Georgia.

Buckeye fans should also cross their fingers and hope Clemson picks up another loss along the way, simplifying that debate. Meanwhile, Oklahoma can’t go undefeated and take away another spot in the Top 4.

Basically, Ohio State can’t afford to have four undefeated teams or a one-loss Clemson in front of them when it comes time for the playoff committee to make their final rankings.

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