Displaced Cleveland Fan

Looking at the final score, it looks like the Buckeyes were on top of everything this game. The offense put up 31 points. The defense held the Badgers to 13. Good solid game right?

Not exactly. The defense and special teams won this game for the Buckeyes. They had two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns and one kickoff return touchdown. Take those away, and the Buckeyes lose 13-10 on Terrelle Pryor’s unimpressive 5/13, 87 yard, 1 TD, 1 INT performance.
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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.

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…)

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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Ugly.

That’s what you call it when your only touchdown comes from your special teams.

Nothing against the special teams, who blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Or the defense, who held the Boilermakers to just 3 points. But the Buckeyes offense has to be able to manage more than 3 field goals if they want to have any shot at winning the Big Ten (not to mention, the chance to play for a national championship).

Speaking of national championship hopes, let’s see where Ohio State stands after this week: (more…)