After a two-season absence, Ohio State is back in the College Football Playoff.
But in order to play for the national title, the Buckeyes will first have to go through the defending champs.
On Sunday, the College Football Playoff announced the four teams that will comprise this year's tournament. And after a 13-0 season and third consecutive Big Ten Championship, Ohio State has been named the No. 2 seed and will face No. 3 Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz. on Dec. 28.
The winner of the national semifinal matchup between the Buckeyes and the Tigers will advance to the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Jan. 13, 2020 in New Orleans. There, they'll meet the winner of the national semifinal matchup between No. 1 LSU and No. 4 Oklahoma, who will square off in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 28.
In Clemson, Ohio State will have its hands full as the Tigers are currently in the midst of a 28-game winning streak that dates back to the start of the 2018 season. Having now appeared in five straight College Football Playoffs, Clemson lays claim to two of the past three national championships, including last season's CFP title.
Headlined by sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Tigers possess one of the nation's most talented rosters and no shortage of NFL prospects. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, tout three legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates in quarterback Justin Fields, running back J.K. Dobbins and defensive end Chase Young.
After a perfect 12-0 regular season, which included an eighth consecutive win over rival Michigan, Ohio State punched its ticket to the playoff by overcoming a 14-0 deficit to beat Wisconsin 34-21 in the Big Ten Championship Game. Despite entering the game as the nation's No. 1 team, the Buckeyes dropped to No. 2 after No. 2 LSU throttled No. 4 Georgia 37-10 in the SEC Championship Game and a highly anticipated matchup against the Tigers and Heisman Trophy favorite (and Ohio State transfer) Joe Burrow could be waiting in the national title game.
But first, the Buckeyes will have to beat college football's defending champ.