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The Ohio State football program doesn’t need to be undefeated to secure a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff. In fact, a 10-2 record could still qualify them, though it would be a bit risky. An 11-1 record would almost certainly guarantee a spot and a chance to compete for a national title.
However, this doesn’t mean they can afford to lose many games. There are three crucial games on their schedule that the Buckeyes must win. If they fail to win these games, Ryan Day’s job could be at risk. While there’s some leeway for losing up to two games, the others are non-negotiable.
Here are the three must-win games for Ohio State
1. Iowa
Ohio State cannot afford to lose to a team that had the worst offense in college football last year. Despite Kirk Ferentz’s efforts to improve the team, including a problematic QB transfer, losing to a team whose standout player was their punter last season would be unacceptable.
2. Nebraska
Nebraska has struggled as one of the weakest programs in the Big Ten recently. Facing them at home should be manageable for the Buckeyes, whose offense should dominate. A loss to Nebraska would significantly tarnish Ohio State’s resume.
3. Michigan
This is the most critical game of the season. Losing to Michigan three times in a row is unacceptable, and a fourth consecutive loss could lead to Day’s dismissal. Ohio State fans would not tolerate another defeat to Michigan, especially on their own turf. Given the Buckeyes’ superior talent and stable coaching staff, Day understands the immense pressure to win this game, as a loss could jeopardize his job security.
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