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Heather Dinich explains importance of Ohio State-Penn State for OSU’s Playoff hopes

Spenser Davis

By Spenser Davis

Published:

Heather Dinich spoke about Ohio State’s College Football Playoff outlook on Tuesday during an appearance on ESPN.

Dinich, who covers the CFP selection committee for ESPN, says there’s now “tremendous pressure” on the Buckeyes to win at Penn State later this fall as a result of their loss to Oregon over the weekend.

“It put tremendous pressure on Ohio State to win at Penn State in November,” Dinich said of Ohio State’s loss to the Ducks. “Obviously Ohio State can and wants to win the Big Ten title. But if they don’t and they’re competing for one of those at-large bids … if you’re a 2-loss team, that’s OK, but you still need statement wins. And if they don’t beat Penn State, they better hope that Indiana and Michigan are still ranked by the committee on selection day.

“Because that nonconference lineup for the Buckeyes — Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall — I promise you it will go under the microscope in that committee meeting room.”

Here’s video of Dinich’s analysis:

As Dinich alluded to, No. 16 Indiana and No. 24 Michigan are currently the only other ranked teams remaining on Ohio State’s 2024 schedule besides the Nittany Lions. Ohio State’s strength of schedule so far in 2024 is ranked 32nd, per ESPN’s Football Power Index. That ranking is heavily boosted by Ohio State’s trip to Eugene last weekend.

Ohio State is still a heavy favorite in the betting markets to make the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes are -1000 to make the CFP this season, per the latest odds from bet365. That’s third overall behind only Oregon (-2500) and Texas (-2500).

Ohio State’s pivotal trip to Happy Valley to take on Penn State is scheduled for Nov. 2. The Buckeyes are idle in Week 8 but will be in action again on Oct. 26 at home against Nebraska.

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.