Ohio State Locked Into CFP Despite Weak Schedule, Rankings Confirm

The Ohio State Buckeyes aren’t just dominating college football—they’ve already won the playoff race. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the College Football Playoff Committee released its third rankings of the season, and for the third week in a row, Ohio State sat at No. 1, undefeated at 10-0. The confirmation wasn’t just a formality. It was a statement: even if the Buckeyes lose their final two games, they’re still going to the playoff. That’s how locked in they are. The news, reported by Eleven Warriors, CBS Sports, ESPN, and NCAA.com, sent shockwaves through the college football world—not because Ohio State is surprising anyone anymore, but because the committee’s logic has become almost impossible to argue with.

Unanimous No. 1, But Not for the Reasons You Think

Ohio State’s record is perfect. Their offense, led by Julian Sayin, is scoring at will. Their defense, under head coach Ryan Day, has tightened up since that gut-wrenching loss to Michigan last year. But here’s the twist: their schedule is the weakest among the top four teams. ESPN’s College Football Power Index ranks Ohio State’s strength of schedule at No. 50 out of 134 FBS programs. That’s not a typo. They’ve played teams ranked outside the top 30 more times than not. And yet, the committee didn’t blink. They didn’t care. Why? Because Ohio State didn’t just win—they dominated. Every game. Every quarter. Every snap. They’ve outscored opponents by an average of 31 points per game. That kind of dominance, even against lesser competition, carries weight.

Meanwhile, Indiana Hoosiers (11-0) sit at No. 2, and Texas A&M Aggies (10-0) hold No. 3. Both have tougher schedules, but neither has the same aura. Indiana’s wins are convincing, yes—but they’ve yet to face a top-10 team. Texas A&M’s defense has been shaky. Ohio State? They’re the only team that feels like a national title contender in every single game.

Georgia Climbs, Alabama Falls—And Michigan Still Haunts

The biggest mover? Georgia Bulldogs. At 9-1, they jumped into the top four after a statement win over LSU. Their loss to Alabama was a fluke. Their win over Florida? Dominant. Their upcoming showdown with LSU? A potential playoff decider. But Georgia’s climb doesn’t change the reality: Ohio State is already in.

And then there’s Alabama Crimson Tide. Once a perennial top-three fixture, they tumbled six spots to No. 10 after losing to Oklahoma. It’s a stunning fall—and a reminder that in 2025, the old rules don’t apply. No one’s immune. But Ohio State? They’re in a league of their own.

And let’s not forget Michigan. The University of Michigan Wolverines, ranked No. 18, loom large as Ohio State’s final regular-season opponent. That game, scheduled for December 7, isn’t just a rivalry—it’s a coronation ceremony waiting to happen. If Ohio State wins, they’ll finish 12-0. If they lose? They still make the playoff. The fact that the committee would still pick them? That’s the real story. As The Scarlet and Game put it: “Even two straight losses at this point would not knock them out of the CFP field.”

Why This Matters Beyond the Playoff

This isn’t just about Ohio State’s path to a national title. It’s about what the committee is signaling to the entire sport. If a team with a weak schedule can lock in a playoff spot based on sheer dominance, then the entire evaluation model is shifting. Strength of schedule used to be king. Now, it’s just one factor. Execution matters more. Consistency matters more. And Ohio State has been flawless since last November.

It’s also a vindication for Ryan Day. After four straight losses to Michigan, something changed. He stopped coaching like he was trying to survive. He started coaching like he expected to win—and now, he’s proven it. Sayin, the quarterback who was once considered a project, is now the best in the country. The offensive line, once a liability, is now one of the most physical units in college football.

What’s Next? Two Games, One Legacy

Ohio State’s final two games—against Rutgers and Michigan—are now ceremonial. But don’t expect them to coast. This team doesn’t know how to turn it off. They’ve got the No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll, the Coaches Poll, and ESPN’s CFP Index. They’re No. 1 in SP+ analytics. They’re No. 1 in every metric that matters… except one: strength of schedule. And yet, the committee doesn’t care. They see the tape. They see the execution. They see a team that doesn’t just win—they dismantle opponents.

The next rankings drop on November 25, 2025. The final ones? December 7. The semifinals? January 2, 2026, at the Orange Bowl in Miami and the Cotton Bowl in Arlington. And the national championship? January 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Ohio State will be there. No matter what happens against Rutgers. No matter what happens against Michigan.

Background: A Year of Transformation

It’s been exactly 365 days since Ohio State lost to Michigan in Ann Arbor, 34-23. That game broke something in the program. And it rebuilt something stronger. In the 12 months since, they’ve won 13 straight games. They’ve beaten every opponent by at least 17 points. They’ve silenced doubters. They’ve outperformed every team with a better schedule. And now, they’ve done the impossible: they’ve convinced the committee that dominance, not difficulty, is what defines a champion.