The Ohio State football team got the help it needed from Utah to clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff for the ultimate redemption.

The Ohio State football team lost to archrival Michigan last Saturday for the second year in a row. It is the first time the Wolverines have won back-to-back games since 1999-2000. However, the sting of this year’s loss may only last eight days as Ohio State will likely clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff with redemption on its mind. 

How did we get here?

The Buckeyes remain the only team to beat every team on its schedule by double digits, including marquee wins over Top 20 Notre Dame and No. 8 Penn State on the road. Beating the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley is one of the best wins of the season and the resume boost to which Ohio State clings. 

Albeit a loss in its final game of the regular season, Ohio State still has a solid case to make the College Football Playoff. After checking in at No. 5 in the penultimate rankings Tuesday night, the Buckeyes knew they needed some help. Enter Kyle Wittingham and Utah. 

The path was simple for Ohio State: USC and/or TCU needed to lose. A loss by only TCU would pose the muddiest road to the final four because the Horned Frogs have already beaten Kansas State this season. However, a loss by USC to Utah in Las Vegas brings total clarity to Ohio State’s playoff hopes. 

Utah fell into an early hole down 17-3 in the PAC-12 Championship Game. Caleb Williams and the Trojans could do no wrong in the first quarter, and then the tables began to turn as it hit closer to halftime. Utah’s defense came alive, forced a turnover on downs, and followed up with two touchdown drives to swing the momentum in its favor. 

The Utes never looked back and closed the game on a 44-7 run, winning the PAC-12 for the second year in a row. Wittingham, Cameron Rising, and Utah are heading back to Pasadena to likely face Penn State in the 2023 Rose Bowl. After the game, Wittingham acknowledged his team’s assist to Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes: 

 

Kyle Whittingham: “Coach Day, you’re welcome.” pic.twitter.com/92uUpKJSrv

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) December 3, 2022

Potential Matchups

Ohio State is in the College Football Playoff, and now the question becomes who will the Buckeyes play? If chalk holds today, Ohio State will face Georgia in Atlanta. An underdog team wearing Scarlet and Gray gets into the field on the final Saturday to face the kings of the SEC in the South. Where have I seen this movie before? 

If TCU loses to Kansas State, there could be a rematch between Ohio State and Michigan in Arizona. An ultimate chance for redemption for Ryan Day, CJ Stroud, and the Buckeyes would be momentous for the sport and rivalry as it takes the postseason stage for the first time in its storied history. 

Losing to Michigan broke the hearts of Buckeye Nation last weekend. Still, it did not feel like the proper ending to the 2022 season for Ohio State. Now, it’s not the end, but a new beginning—one with the ultimate chance to get redemption on the biggest stage. 

The Ohio State Revenge Tour starts NOW 🔥💪 pic.twitter.com/WiPdAJykOP

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) December 3, 2022

A second opportunity to play the greatest rivalry in sports can change the narrative of Day’s, Stroud’s, and the 2022 Buckeyes’ legacies. Whether a rematch fuels Ohio State, the potential of a rematch in the National Championship or the ultimate chance at redemption hangs in the balance. 

Ryan Day said on College Gameday, “I know moving forward, we’re going to play loose, we’re going to be aggressive, and we’re gonna go at people.” 

When it comes to the playoffs, just get in, and anything can happen. Ohio State will do just that tomorrow afternoon. Get out your pen and paper because the Buckeyes have another chapter to write for the 2022 season. Its title? Redemption.