Ohio State University’s absence from the college football playoffs can result from a combination of on-field performance, ranking challenges, and tiebreaker scenarios that ultimately affect postseason eligibility. In a highly competitive landscape, a couple of key losses during the regular season can drastically alter the trajectory of the Buckeyes' playoff aspirations. Each game not only impacts their win-loss record but also their ranking within the College Football Playoff Committee’s evaluations. Factors such as strength of schedule, quality of wins, and performance against ranked opponents come into play, and even one loss can diminish the team's chances of securing a playoff spot, especially in a season with several other strong contenders. Furthermore, intricate tiebreaker scenarios involving other teams in the conference can further complicate the playoff picture, as Ohio State must often compete against multiple teams with similar records. As the playoff committee analyzes each team's body of work, a combination of rankings and comparisons can lead to Ohio State being left out of the playoff discussion, even if they have had an impressive season overall. Ultimately, the absence from the playoffs serves as a stark reminder of the competitiveness of college football, where the margin for error is incredibly thin, and teams must perform consistently at a high level throughout the season to secure postseason opportunities.