Buckeyes raise eyebrows with the top spot of initial Playoff rankings
(Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
The Playoff Committee revealed their first rankings of the season Tuesday evening, as millions of fans across the world watched.
The highly-anticipated results sent shockwaves throughout the College football landscape for many reasons. After all, Georgia, the two-time, reigning National Champs were not No. 1. Neither was undefeated Michigan. The Playoff Committee stirred the pot with some controversy, and made Ohio State numero uno.
There has already been a ton of backlash from the fans on social media, because they feel the Buckeyes don’t deserve to be first. It’s a head-scratcher to others, considering Ryan Day’s team has lost to the Wolverines for two-straight seasons, and to the Bulldogs in the Playoff semifinals last year.
Still, the Buckeyes have arguably the most impressive resume out of the remaining five undefeated Power Five teams. Ohio State beat No. 11 Penn State, and No. 15 Notre Dame. Not to mention Day’s squad won at Wisconsin. Georgia fans feel disrespected by all of it. However, the Bulldogs have one of the softest schedules in the FBS. Georgia has only beat one FBS team with a winning record thus far. On top of that, All-American tight end Brock Bowers is sidelined with a sprained ankle.
The Wolverines’ schedule hasn’t done them any justice either. Michigan has yet to face an opponent with a pulse in Big Ten play, and beating a 2-6 Purdue team won’t help the portfolio. No. 4 Florida State has a legit argument because its’ undefeated, and beat No. 14 LSU. Regardless of the matter, the ACC is down this fall, and there’s no Louisville on the regular season schedule for Mike Norvell’s team.
Washington is another team that everyone feels isn’t getting the respect it deserves landing at No. 5. The Huskies beat the No. 6 team in the country, but have struggled to put away inferior opponents over the past two weeks. Washington’s schedule gets a lot tougher in November though, so it’ll have opportunities to move up.
That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Buckeyes got the top spot. No one really expects the Buckeyes to be challenged again until they travel to the Big House to face the Wolverines. Rutgers and Minnesota are bowl bound teams, so that should benefit Ohio State. A light bulb has turned on with junior quarterback Kyle McCord. He has eight touchdown tosses and two interceptions over the Buckeyes’ past four games.
Although running back Miyan Williams suffered a season-ending injury, Ohio State’s backfield is in good hands. TreVeyon Henderson returned to the lineup against the Badgers, and rushed for 164 yards and a score. It’s no mystery that wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best weapon in all of College football.
On defense the Buckeyes have been the most impressive. Ohio State’s defense is only allowing 10 points per game, which is second-best in the nation. The Buckeyes are also fourth in the FBS in total defense.
Now that the rankings have started the stakes are higher. Style points, and passing the eye test will be vital for Day’s boys to hold onto that top spot. November is the month of champions, and Ohio State needs to show everyone that its’ ranking is legit. The targets on the Buckeyes’ backs will be bigger than ever now, so it’s important for Day and his team to embrace what comes with the territory.
