Displaced Cleveland Fan

Following Saturday’s 30-0 win over Illinois, the Buckeyes are back in the top-10.

Thanks to the upsets of four top-10 teams, Ohio State jumped four spots to #9. Ole Miss dropped from #4 to #21. Penn State slipped from #5 to #15. California, after getting pummeled by Oregon, fell from #6 all the way to #24. Miami, after jumping 11 spots to #9 the previous week, went back down to #17 this week.

Iowa is now ranked #13 after beating Penn State. Not sure yet if they really belong this high or if Penn State was overrated. Either way, the Hawkeyes will get their chance to prove themselves as the season moves on.

Another Ohio team is in the top-10. Cincinnati is right behind the Buckeyes at #10.

The Buckeyes opened their Big Ten schedule at home against Illinois by beating the Illini 30-0.

A rainy first half finished with Ohio State leading 13-0. The Buckeyes had zero passing yards for the half. But they were able to move the ball effectively on the ground. They rushed for 236 yards in the game, led by Brandon Saine (81 yards) and Dan Herron (75 yards and 2 TDs).
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OK. Figure this one out…

Ohio State was ranked #11 in the polls last week.

They beat Toledo 38-0.

Two teams ahead of them lose to unranked teams.

The result: The Buckeyes fall to #13. (more…)

After last week’s tough loss to USC, the Buckeyes traveled north this week to take on the Toledo Rockets at Cleveland Browns Stadium. If there was any wonder whether this team would be able to move on after last week, that was settled early on in this game. After scoring two first quarter touchdowns and building a 24-point halftime lead, the Buckeyes never looked back.

This was not necessarily going to be an easy win for Ohio State. Sure, they were playing an over-matched in-state school. But this team beat Michigan last year. And Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt came into this game leading the nation in total offense (437 yards/game). But the Buckeyes defense completely shut down the Rockets offense. The closest Toledo came to scoring was in the fourth quarter when wide receiver Eric Page had the ball stripped at the goal line. Ohio State recovered the ball in the endzone for a touchback. The Buckeyes then marched down the field for a touchdown to go up 38-0.
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Ohio State slipped in the polls to #11 this week, following Saturday night’s loss to USC. I optimistically predicted a #9 ranking. But hey, 11’s not bad. It’s only week 2. There’s still plenty of time for the Buckeyes to move up in the rankings (much to the chagrin of many college football fans).

So the #11 ranking… no big deal. It’s understandable. But what’s not understandable is one set of rankings for the Big Ten conference that has come out this week.

The Big Ten Power Rankings from Rivals.com has the Buckeyes at #4 in the conference. #4? Seriously?! So who do they have ahead of Ohio State?
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Unbelievable.

Or, not surprising. Either one will fit.

Ohio State was not supposed to win this game. They barely beat Navy last week. USC was coming off a lopsided win. Ohio State, an “overrated” #8 was an underdog at home to #3 USC. The Buckeyes were supposed to lose.

But something happened. For 53 minutes, the Buckeyes outplayed the Trojans. With 7:29 left in the game, Ohio State was up 15-10 with USC starting at their own 14 yard line. After a sack and a false start, it looked like the Buckeyes’ defense, which was tough all night, would get the ball back for the offense again.

But then something else happened. (more…)

Week 2 of the college football season and the Buckeyes are facing a must-win game. A loss effectively eliminates Ohio State from any prospect of going to the national championship game. A loss also means the claims that the Buckeyes can’t win a big game and that the Big Ten is a weak conference will continue.

Ohio State lost to USC in Los Angelas last year, 35-3. Now they host the Trojans in Columbus. The Buckeyes have to win this game.

So how will this game play out? There are four possibilities:
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