In a shocking turn of events, Ohio State Club Football has been awarded the 2024 Great Lakes Conference Championship trophy after Michigan State unexpectedly informed the Buckeyes of its intention to forfeit the game late Monday night, citing lack of available players.
As the runners-up in the Great Lakes West Division, Oakland University was offered the opportunity to play for the conference crown, but was forced to turn down the opportunity due to their own shortage of available players.
It is the fifth-straight conference title for the Buckeyes, and their third-straight since re-joining the Great Lakes Conference in 2022. Ohio State competed in the Mid-Atlantic Conference from 2017-2019 and the Great American Conference in 2021 after being a member of the Great Lakes Conference from 2012-16.
The win moves Ohio State to 7-1, and the Buckeyes will now sit idle on championship weekend and await their opponent in the NCFA Playoffs. There are multiple possible scenarios as to who the Buckeyes could play, including some of the more likely ones listed below.
- No. 2 Coppin State defeats No. 6 George Mason AND No. 3 Clayton State defeats No. 7 Columbus State.
- Ohio State would likely play Clayton State in the semifinals. In this scenario, Wright State would likely earn the No. 4 seed. NCFA rules state that two conference opponents cannot meet in the semifinals, therefore Ohio State would play the No. 3 seed, which would be Clayton State.
- No. 2 Coppin State defeats No. 6 George Mason AND No. 7 Columbus State defeats No. 3 Clayton State
- Ohio State would likely play Clayton State in this scenario as well. Clayton State would likely draw the No. 4 wild card spot while Columbus State would move up into the No. 3 spot and play No. 2 Coppin State in the semis.
- No. 6 George Mason defeats No. 2 Coppin State AND No. 3 Clayton State defeats No. 7 Columbus State
- Ohio State would likely play Coppin State in this scenario. Clayton State would move up into the No. 2 seed, George Mason in the No. 3 seed and Coppin State in the No. 4 wild card position.
- No. 6 George Mason defeats No. 2 Coppin State AND No. 7 Columbus State defeats Clayton State
- Ohio State would likely play Coppin State in this scenario. George Mason would take over the No. 2 seed, Columbus State the No. 3 seed and Coppin State would earn the wild card spot, due to their overall record being higher than Clayton State’s.
The NCFA Semifinals are set to be held on Nov. 23 in the Glass Bowl on campus of the University of Toledo. Kickoff will be either at 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. dependent on Ohio State’s opponent.
Ohio State Club Football 