Potential Playoff spot can wait, Ohio State tackles Michigan first

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Urban Meyer had two reasons to celebrate following Saturday’s rain-soaked win against Illinois. The first: Ohio State’s victory clinched the East Division of the Big Ten Conference, securing a spot in early December’s conference title game and achieving one of the program’s annual preseason goals — to play for, and then win, a Big Ten championship. And then there was the second: Michigan had lost to Wisconsin.

How long did the festivities last? It was just “pretty quick,” Meyer admitted postgame, still toweling dry. But it was nonetheless a celebration on two fronts, as the Buckeyes smiled at their rival’s misfortune and reveled in stabilizing a season that seemed destined for disappointment following the team’s lopsided loss to Iowa earlier this month.

“We celebrated the chance that we're going to go to Indianapolis, which is a goal every year. And, yes, I was aware (of Michigan),” Meyer said. “And then it's over. Now it's time to put our laser lights on our rival.”

BOWL PROJECTIONS:Ohio State remains on Playoff track

HEISMAN SURVEY:Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield no longer unanimous choice

1-130 RE-RANK:No changes at top after drama-less weekend

Celebrate, and then get back to business. And it’s not Michigan, to be exact. Leave it to rivalry weekend, and this rivalry in specific, to erase states from the map: Michigan isn’t Michigan around these parts but “the team up north.” But Meyer has always done this. At Bowling Green, the Falcons’ biggest rival, Toledo, was likewise referred to as the team up north. While at Utah, he referred to Brigham Young as the team down south. During his time at Florida, the Gators called Florida State the team to the west. You can tell it’s rivalry week by Meyer’s cadence: Never long-winded in the first place, his sentence structure becomes even more staccato.

“This rivalry is not a one-week deal,” said Meyer. “It’s in your blood. It’s in your DNA.”

The game always matters, maybe more now than in years due to the convergence of Meyer and Jim Harbaugh. And under Meyer, the rivalry has included a secondary meaning: This year, as in the recent past, Ohio State faces Michigan within range of the College Football Playoff, aiming for its third national semifinal in the four-year history of the postseason format.

“To beat the team up north, that better happen,” said linebacker Chris Worley. “That’s like law. You don’t break that law. You better beat the team up north.”

The recipe for a Playoff berth asks for a pinch of flash and style — it wouldn’t hurt to wow the selection committee, as the Buckeyes did down the stretch in 2014 — and just a dash of help. Ninth in the most recent Playoff poll, Ohio State will at most move up one spot in Tuesday’s rankings, leapfrogging Notre Dame.

The winner of the Southeastern Conference is getting in, whether that’s Alabama, Auburn or Georgia. Likewise with the winner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, whether Miami (Fla.) or Clemson. Oklahoma would secure a top-four finish with wins against West Virginia and in the Big 12 Conference title game, likely a rematch with TCU. One spot remains open.

It’s going unsaid inside Ohio State’s football facility, and won’t be mentioned this week by players and coaches focused on one thing — beating Michigan. But the road has opened for the Buckeyes, who are within striking distance of becoming the first team in the Playoff era to reach a semifinal with two losses. Even as the Iowa loss hovers over Ohio State’s résumé like a cloud, there are only three scenarios that realistically could keep the Buckeyes out of the field, should they close with wins against the Wolverines and Wisconsin.

One is Alabama defeating Auburn on Saturday, giving the Crimson Tide the West Division, and then losing narrowly to Georgia in the SEC title game. A second is Clemson losing a close game to Miami to decide the ACC, and a third would be vice versa — Miami heading into the first Saturday of December unbeaten but losing to Clemson by a single possession. Each of the three scenarios could keep Ohio State out of the four-team field, even if Alabama presents the most logical case for that fourth spot; the selection committee loves the Crimson Tide. But they also love the Buckeyes.

“I think we’ve got a train that’s cooking right now,” said quarterback J.T. Barrett. “We have a mission. Complete the mission, celebrate, then wait for your next directive.”

The Buckeyes’ mission, should they choose to accept it — and they really have no choice — is to focus on the responsibility at hand, a task made simpler by the next opponent. The game matters even when it doesn’t; the rivalry would define each program’s season even if the pair entered the final Saturday of November outside the championship picture.

“It’s going to be a dogfight, and we’re ready for that,” said wide receiver Parris Campbell. “It’s time.”

So don’t look for the Buckeyes to get caught looking ahead. The path is clear: Ohio State can play its way into the Playoff by proving it belongs — beginning with a convincing win against Michigan before moving onto Wisconsin. There’s a deeper meaning to one of college football’s historic rivalries. Bragging rights are a powerful motivator. So is the opportunity to play for the national title.

“I love our focus. I love the fact the way that we're practicing and the focus — intense focus is the mantra right now,” Meyer said. “And I like where we're at.”