Scarlet Sunrise: CFP chair explains why Ohio State is still atop the rankings

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CFP chair explains why Ohio State is still atop the rankings

Ohio State is No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings for the second week in a row, despite the Buckeyes struggling mightily in the first half at Rutgers.

Head coach Ryan Day’s team ultimately pulled away in the second half, covering the spread with a 19-point victory. Two Marvin Harrison Jr. touchdowns down the stretch, set up by running back TreVeyon Henderson — who once again went over 200 scrimmage yards — did the trick.

There’s no denying, though, the game was closer than the 35-16 score suggested.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Georgia beat then-No. 12 Missouri, 30-21. And No. 3 Michigan’s dominance continued, albeit against a reeling Purdue team.

So CFP chair, and North Carolina State athletic director, Boo Corrigan was asked why Ohio State remained No. 1 this week, even though the Buckeyes had some initial hiccups against an unranked — but bowl eligible — Rutgers squad.

“Well, I can assure you, we talked about it early, we talked about it in the middle and we talked about it late to make sure that we had it, as a committee,” Corrigan said during a Tuesday night teleconference. “The win over Rutgers, a top-20 defense, [Ohio State] put up 28 points, another seven on a pick six, TreVeyon Henderson being back for his second game, the win over Penn State, the win over Notre Dame, the win at Wisconsin, seven wins over teams with winning records really drove the day.”

A strong resume is clearly helping Ohio State. In years past, a win at Rutgers wouldn’t necessarily move the needle, especially one that came with twists and turns. But this time around, the Scarlet Knights are earning more respect, and so are the Buckeyes for defeating them.

Ohio State is 9-0, and five of those nine wins have come on the road. The Buckeyes have the 20th-ranked strength of schedule, the seventh-ranked remaining strength of schedule and the top strength of record, according to ESPN.

Corrigan was asked a follow-up on Ohio State, and specifically about why the win at Rutgers helps the Buckeyes, considering the nature it was achieved.

“Again, winning is really important, so let’s not lose sight of that,” Corrigan said on the teleconference. “Also Rutgers with a top-20 defense, and wins on the road are hard to come by. As you’re looking at it, I don’t know that it was something necessarily that everyone looked at and bumped them up, but they continued to move on, they continue to play well.

“Really physical team. TreVeyon Henderson, as I said before, being back, going for over 100 [rushing] yards the last two games helps them overall as a team, with their top-five defense, as well.”

Here’s a look at the top 10 (the only two new additions are No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 10 Penn State):

1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Michigan
4. Florida State
5. Washington
6. Oregon
7. Texas
8. Alabama
9. Ole Miss
10. Penn State

For the full rankings, go here.

Latest on Ohio State approach to injuries, health updates

It’s November. Injuries are inevitable this time of the year.

The Buckeyes are dealing with a handful after three straight especially physical games against Penn State, Wisconsin and Rutgers. Injury information comes at a premium in college football, but Lettermen Row rounded up the updates provided by Day and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles Tuesday.

Plus, Day shared some insight on his program’s approach to managing the return timeline of players who are fighting through injury and trying to get back on the field.

Check it out here.

Jim Knowles, Buckeyes seeing young defenders begin to provide depth

A bunch of those aforementioned injuries have come on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the secondary. That means other Buckeyes players have had to step up on the road, including a few true freshmen.

Knowles talked about how those first-year players, among others, have risen to the occasion for Ohio State the last couple of weeks.

What’s more, there are Ohio State underclassmen defenders climbing the depth chart in the front seven, independent of injuries.

To find out who and get the full story, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Michigan State: 3 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 17 days

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