Buckeyes fall in CFP rankings
COLUMBUS — The bad news for Ohio State is that it can’t go back an redo its rivalry upset loss to Michigan from Saturday afternoon. The good news: this is the new college football, and the Buckeyes are still going to be in the 12-team College Football Playoff with a chance to win the national title.
Yes, the Buckeyes are all but guaranteed to be a part of the first 12-team College Football Playoff when the official bracket reveal comes Sunday afternoon. They solidified their spot in the tournament — despite the loss to Michigan — by being ranked No. 6 in Tuesday’s penultimate rankings release.
Oregon retained the top spot ahead of its Big Ten title game against No. 3 Penn State on Saturday night. No. 2 Texas will face No. 5 Georgia in the SEC championship game Saturday afternoon.
Notre Dame is assured to host a CFP home game; the Fighting Irish checked in at No. 4.
The at-large teams with the potential to host a CFP game — other than Notre Dame — are Ohio State and Tennessee. And the resumes aren’t even close, no matter how much the folks in Knoxville try convincing you otherwise.
Tennessee is one spot behind the Buckeyes — and neither team will play again before the final bracket reveal.
Top 10
- 1
Lane Kiffin scorched earth
CFP committee, Miami in crosshairs
- 2
Nebraska flips OU commit
Huskers land Sooners WR commit
- 3
Texas lands 5-star ATH
Michael Terry commits
- 4New
CFP Strength of Schedule
Added context or controversy
- 5Hot
12-Team CFP bracket
The updated field is set
Ohio State has two better wins than anything the Volunteers can hang their hats on. The Buckeyes have the better strength of record, even as the SEC chest-thumpers tell you otherwise. They also have the better strength of record and are higher in ESPN FPI. Ohio State has better offensive efficiency numbers and are just two spots lower than Tennessee in defensive efficiency.
Need it in chart form? Here you go:
| Team | Key wins | Losses | SOS | SOR | FPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | at No. 4 Penn State No. 10 Indiana | at No. 1 Oregon (by 1) vs. 7-5 Michigan (by 3) | 26 | 6 | 3 |
| Tennessee | No. 13 Alabama | at No. 7 Georgia (by 14) at 6-6 Arkansas (by 5) | 28 | 7 | 7 |
See anything that tells anyone Tennessee should host a CFP game instead of Ohio State? Lettermen Row doesn’t either.
College Football Playoff rankings (Nov. 12)
1. Oregon
2. Texas
3. Penn State
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Ohio State
7. Tennessee
8. SMU
9. Indiana
10. Boise State
11. Alabama
12. Miami
13. Ole Miss
14. South Carolina
15. Arizona State
16. Iowa State
17. Clemson
18. BYU
19. Missouri
20. UNLV
21. Illinois
22. Syracuse
23. Colorado
24. Army
25. Memphis
