It's all in the mathematics...
Ohio State defense + offensive production + win out= good chance of playing for NC
Don't forget the press may pick up the story that Ohio State lost to Texas because its quarterback was playing his first game after serving a suspension, if we start pasting teams in the top conference in the country this year.
Tennessee did not have a "reason" to lose to Florida, who was learning its new offense under Urban Meyer.
Ohio State had a reason to lose. If the offense starts putting up points and we bury good Big Ten teams, we will make it.