If the playoff started today, the Buckeyes would be in.
Ohio State found itself among the top-four teams in the latest College Football Playoff rankings on Thursday night, checking in at No. 4 – up one spot from last week's initial rankings.
The Buckeyes moved up in the rankings following previously-unbeaten Michigan State's loss to Purdue on Saturday, coming in behind No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Oregon and one spot ahead of No. 5 Cincinnati.
Though already among the top four teams in the country in the eyes of the committee, Ohio State still has plenty of time and opportunity to further improve its resume or play itself out of the field as the Buckeyes now face three ranked opponents in their final three regular-season games with the potential of a fourth in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Ohio State faces No. 19 Purdue at home this week, No. 7 Michigan State at home the following week, and No. 6 Michigan on the road. With three wins, the Buckeyes would punch its ticket to the Big Ten title game where it would face another ranked opponent.
Here's a look at the full rankings:
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | CONFERERNCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEORGIA | 9-0 | SEC |
| 2 | ALABAMA | 8-1 | SEC |
| 3 | OREGON | 8-1 | PAC-12 |
| 4 | OHIO STATE | 8-1 | BIG TEN |
| 5 | CINCINNATI | 9-0 | AAC |
| 6 | MICHIGAN | 8-1 | BIG TEN |
| 7 | MICHIGAN STATE | 8-1 | BIG TEN |
| 8 | OKLAHOMA | 9-0 | BIG 12 |
| 9 | NOTRE DAME | 8-1 | INDEPENDENT |
| 10 | OKLAHOMA STATE | 8-1 | BIG 12 |
| 11 | TEXAS A&M | 7-2 | SEC |
| 12 | WAKE FOREST | 8-1 | ACC |
| 13 | BAYLOR | 7-2 | BIG 12 |
| 14 | BYU | 8-2 | INDEPENDENT |
| 15 | OLE MISS | 7-2 | SEC |
| 16 | NC STATE | 7-2 | ACC |
| 17 | AUBURN | 6-3 | SEC |
| 18 | WISCONSIN | 6-3 | BIG TEN |
| 19 | PURDUE | 6-3 | BIG TEN |
| 20 | IOWA | 7-2 | BIG TEN |
| 21 | PITTSBURGH | 7-2 | ACC |
| 22 | SAN DIEGO STATE | 8-1 | MOUNTAIN WEST |
| 23 | UTSA | 9-0 | CONFERENCE USA |
| 24 | UTAH | 6-3 | PAC 12 |
| 25 | ARKANSAS | 6-3 | SEC |
