Oh how the tangled web of college football rankings has changed since last the playoff committee met. Since then, three of the top-six teams lost (including Nos. 1 and 3), and the previously No. 13 Ohio State, whose playoff chances had been left for dead, suddenly has a pulse (albeit a faint one), after their 48-3 drubbing of formerly No. 12 Michigan State.
Now, having moved up a few spots, the Buckeyes sit at No. 9.
If the Buckeyes are to have any chance of booking a return trip to the College Football Playoff, they are going to need two things; 1) to win out against Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin (and preferably in impressive fashion), and 2) lots of chaos above them.