With all non-playoff bowl games, each team’s motivation to be there is a big factor. Ohio State has narrowly missed the playoff before, and won both of those New Year’s Six games against Notre Dame and USC.
Hopefully that won’t be a concern again this year for Ohio State. The Buckeyes have a chance to start off Ryan Day’s tenure with a win and build program momentum heading in to the second signing day and a critical offseason.
But the Huskies are really good. S&P+ projects Ohio State by 2.8 points with a 56 percent win probability.