After Clemson was upset by Ga Tech Saturday, they now have the unenviable situation of playing the next 8 games while already effectively eliminated from the playoffs. Even though it’s early, the chaos needed to get Clemson into the playoffs this year is remote at best.  Last year’s Florida State team was in a similar position. This got me to thinking…when was the last time the Buckeyes played a regular season game with no realistic hope of making the playoffs?

Note #1: Any OSU fan since 2007 knows that one loss + some upsets of teams ahead of you and you’ve still got hope

Note #2: Any OSU fan since 2014 knows what a possible 59-0 style statement win in the BTCG can do for your resume, especially against a ranked B10 opponent

Note #3: I don’t really count The Game as "regular season", given the enormous rivalry stakes

Here we go...

2024: Controlled own destiny all the way, won it all!

2023: Controlled own destiny until The Game

2022: Controlled own destiny until The Game, still made playoffs

2021: Controlled own destiny until The Game, despite Oregon loss in week 2

2020: Controlled own destiny all the way, made playoffs and CG

2019: Controlled own destiny all the way, made playoffs

2018: OK, things were definitely dicey after Purdue gave us 1 loss with 4 games to go.  But, see notes 1 and 2.

2017: Bleak after Iowa with 3 games to go gave us 2 losses, but we clawed back to the #5 spot on selection Sunday.

2016: Bit of a blip after PSU loss, still made playoffs

2015: Controlled own destiny until MSU, still played The Game with decent shot of making BTCG and playoffs

2014: Things very bleak after Game 2 Va Tech, but see notes #1 and #2 and we all know how it ultimately turned out

2013: Controlled own destiny until BTCG

2012: I’m omitting the year from this list since the postseason ban is a unique circumstance and was known long before season began.  Still would have controlled own destiny all the way.

2011: Since it’s my list, I’m also omitting this year due to the interim coach situation, suspensions, and resulting lowered expectations long before the season. Busted in any case early.

2010: I don’t remember what upsets were needed, but with only one loss total and with 2007 still fresh in our minds, I believe we went into The Game with a realistic hope of making the 2 team BCS championship.

2009:  I think this is it. After losing to Purdue in game 7, giving us 2 losses, the remaining 5 games were played with only the faintest glimmer of hope for massive chaos.

Let’s keep going…

2008: The USC loss in week 3 was brutal and probably eliminated us right then, despite the hoping for 2007 style chaos

2007: Controlled own destiny up until the 4th qtr. of game 11, still made BCS

2006: Controlled own destiny all the way, made BCS

2005: Despite close Texas loss in week 2, we had decent hope until Penn State loss in week 5

2004: Busted year by week 4/5

2003: Only one loss and decent hope going into The Game

2002: Controlled own destiny all the way, won it all!

2001: Probably eliminated in week 2 loss to UCLA, though it was Tressel’s 1st year and few fans had BCS expectations.

In summary, the last time OSU played a regular season game (non ban year or interim coach year) with no hope of making the playoffs (12 team, 4 team, or 2 team) was 2009.

This is incredible, and I’m not sure if any other team in the country is even close (maybe Alabama?).

Not to mention, under Ran Day’s watch, we firmly controlled our own destiny through EVERY season, with the possible exception of 2021 after the Oregon loss in week 2.  Yet we still climbed back to the CFP #2 spot going into The Game so we were definitely controlling our own destiny by then.

And now we’re 3 games into 2025 in a great position so far.  It’s great to be a Buckeye, and we have much to be thankful for.  Go Bucks!