Ohio State's 3 Most Likely Playoff Scenarios

*Update, 12:51 PM ET 12/7/14* 

The Buckeyes are IN, and it looks like our top scenario was the one that won out. The Buckeyes will play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl for a shot at the national championship game.

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With a one-sided 59-0 win over Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship Game, Ohio State forced its way back into the playoff conversation. Will it be enough to jump the Buckeyes over TCU, though? Here are the 3 most likely outcomes:

Ohio State Ends Up 4th, Plays Alabama in the Sugar Bowl

Right now, this is (*crosses fingers, knocks on wood*) the most likely outcome for Ohio State. With Alabama first, Oregon second, FSU third and Ohio State fourth, the bowl committee will have the biggest schools from the biggest conferences represented...and you can be sure they'll will take that possibility (and the money it would bring in) very seriously. Alabama is no slouch, but if the Buckeyes can play like they did against Wisconsin, they'll certainly be up for the fight.

Ohio State Ends Up 5th, Plays Mizzou in the Citrus Bowl

This is the one most Ohio State fans don't wanna think about...so we won't say too much about it. Considering how badly Alabama beat up on Mizzou and how badly Ohio State beat up on Wisconsin (not to mention how angry OSU would be about missing out on the Top 4)...let's just say this wouldn't be pretty and move on.

Ohio State Ends Up 3rd, Plays Oregon in the Rose Bowl

This is highly unlikely...but it isn't totally out of the question. Ohio State's 59-point margin of victory was greater than the margin of Florida State's last seven games combined. There is absolutely no disputing which team has more momentum right now...and despite Ohio State's loss, could that be enough to vault them ahead of the Seminoles?

Probably not (the committee has to be aware that the city of Tallahassee would burn to the ground if this happened), but it still makes for a very interesting hypothetical.

Who would you like to see Ohio State play? Let us know in the comments!

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