Rece Davis: Ohio State deserves No. 1 ranking, but they're not the best team in the country

Rece Davis pulled no punches when speaking on Ohio State’s status at No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

On Friday, Davis elaborated on his feelings, believing the committee got it right due to the Buckeyes’ schedule in 2023. However, he wouldn’t pick Ohio State over numerous other College Football Playoff contenders, all things even.

“I think it means a lot, if you’re asking me my judgement,” Davis said, regarding the importance of a team’s strength-of-schedule, via The Pat McAfee Show. “I don’t think Ohio State’s the best team right now. I think they’re the most deserving team. I think they’ve got the best resume. The two best wins. But if you ask me right now, ‘Do I think they would beat Georgia?’ The answer’s no. ‘Do I think they would beat Michigan?’ I don’t.

“I’m not saying they couldn’t do it. They might. I’m just saying, putting subjective judgement on it right now, I don’t think they’re the best team.”

It’s a pretty level-headed take from Davis. He doesn’t believe it’s out of the realm of possibility that Ohio State could surpass other tremendous teams, but he’s not putting the Buckeyes above them just yet.

He’s not the only one with that thought process though. FOX’s Colin Cowherd was hesitant to call Ohio State the best team in the nation earlier this week, but he agreed with the decision based on the Buckeyes’ current resume.

“I don’t think Ohio State’s the best team, but here’s why I would support them being No. 1. Because I do believe sometimes you have to create the inertia, or the momentum, to get coaches and ADs to schedule big games. So they were willing to go to Notre Dame,” Cowherd explained. “That’s not an easy game. They played Penn State. Now I didn’t think they looked overwhelming in each. I thought they should’ve lost the Notre Dame game. But they didn’t. And they scheduled it. I’ve said this for years, I can have a bone to pick with this coach and that coach, but when I saw Georgia play Notre Dame home-and-away, total respect. Tennessee for years, has taken on some of those big games. Nick Saban’s been willing to take a few, although I wish they weren’t always on a neutral field or in Dallas, which is not a neutral field for Bama. 

“Nonetheless, I think at this point in my life, if you’re willing to go out and play a big boy college football game, even if you’re ugly, you win, you win. In college football, to win on the road, Notre Dame’s a quality team. I think Georgia would beat Ohio State. I think Michigan would. I think Washington and Oregon would. Florida State, the committee missed on. They haven’t played anybody. I think Texas would. I don’t think Ohio State’s a very good team, but they’re undefeated. Two nice wins, albeit ugly. I’m for it.”

We’ll see if Ohio State can prove Davis and Cowherd wrong moving forward. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes have a golden opportunity, and should be careful not to squander it.