Ohio State latest CFP loss heartbreaking. What will change?
Editor’s note: After each Ohio State football game, beat reporters Joey Kaufman and Bill Rabinowitz discuss the lasting storylines and other key developments.
Ohio State is left coping with postseason heartbreak once again.
After reaching the College Football Playoff for a third time in four seasons in the Ryan Day era, the Buckeyes fell short in the semifinal round for a second time.
The 42-41 loss to Georgia was eerily reminiscent of a stinging defeat to Clemson three years ago.
Both were settled in the final seconds. Noah Ruggles pulled a game-winning 50-yard field-goal attempt wide left against the Bulldogs on New Year’s Eve, just as Chris Olave broke off a post route late against the Tigers in a miscommunication with Justin Fields that led to a game-sealing interception in 2019.
The offseason has now arrived a week earlier than the Buckeyes hoped.
Kaufman: Limitations on defense remain a roadblock for the Buckeyes in their pursuit of a national championship. In three playoff losses under Day, they have allowed an average of 41 points, a mark that includes the 42 points given up to Georgia, as well as 52 points to Alabama in the final in 2020 and 29 points to Clemson in the other semifinal setback. Playoff games are often high-scoring, even with the best defenses involved, but it feels that side of the ball still needs to rise to the occasion a bit more for Ohio State to win on this stage. C.J. Stroud certainly did.
Rabinowitz: Stroud didn’t beat Michigan as OSU’s quarterback and he didn’t win a national title, but I think he secured his legacy with his performance on Saturday. He was masterful. His passing was on target, which we’ve come to expect from him. But he did a terrific job avoiding pressure and yes, even used his legs to scramble at key times. We can only wonder how the fourth quarter might have been different if he’d had Marvin Harrison Jr. to throw to. That reversal of the targeting call was massively important.
Kaufman: There was no question Stroud laid it all on the line. He threw in rhythm and on the move from outside the pocket. And as you mention, he even used his legs. Georgia got the best shot, from Stroud, who delivered his most memorable performance in Scarlet and Gray, helping Ohio State to go 10 rounds with the defending champions. There are no moral victories for the Buckeyes in this town, but the way they got off the mat and tangled with Georgia should leave many with hope about their ability to contend for titles moving forward.
Ohio State has to hope Kyle McCord or Devin Brown develop quickly at quarterback
Rabinowitz: Unfortunately for OSU, Stroud is headed to the NFL. The Buckeyes have to hope that Kyle McCord or Devin Brown can develop as quickly as Stroud did. You’re right that there are no moral victories, and this was a devastating one because of how close they came and the knowledge they’d have been solid favorites to win the national title against TCU. But playing Georgia as well as they did should change the narrative from what it was after the Michigan game. After that debacle, the program felt at a crossroads with momentum drifting downward. Showing how worthy they were of a CFP berth after all the criticism should liven their spirits in the offseason. But boy, it was right there, wasn’t it?