Are the states of Indiana and Ohio poised to have multiple teams in the playoffs this year?

IU obviously has an uphill climb being in the Big Ten East, but with a year similar to last could easily go 11-1 and be the first SECOND big ten team to make the playoffs. They have a chance to get a quality OOC win against Cincy and their other games ooc are directional KY and Idaho.

ND faces an extremely easy ACC/Pac12 schedule with only standouts being UNC and USC on that end. Interestingly enough they play Wisconsin, but also Cincinnati OOC so two potential quality wins (or semi-excusable losses). A 11-1 Notre Dame would likely be hard to leave out.

In the homeland.

Do i really have to explain Ohio State's chances of reaching the playoffs? Im pretty sure whatever cosmic being Ryan Day has made a bargain with wont allow it to happen.

So down the road to the other Ohio school. Cincy has lost a little, but has kept ahold of their QB from last year. I honestly thought they deserved to go to the playoffs last year, but have no love for the team outside Fickell so you wont see me lose sleep over if the AAC is excluded from the playoff. However, this year the two best teams in Indiana mentioned above are on their schedule (back to back with a bye in between). Depending on how those teams finish, they could seriously bolster Cincy's resume, possibly enough to let them make the playoff as a 13-0 or 12-1 AAC champion.

Tldr: cincy plays Indiana and ND. ND also plays Wisconsin=decent schedule. Cincy could easily win the AAC.