The latest College Football Playoff rankings have been released and for the second week in a row the Buckeyes have been ranked second behind the No. 1 LSU Tigers.
This is the third edition of the rankings and following each release, selection committee chairman Rob Mullens holds a teleconference to answer questions from reporters. Before he begins answering questions, however, he very matter-of-factly explains why the top four teams are where they are.
Here is what he said following the first edition where the Buckeyes were No. 1 and LSU was No. 2.
“Ohio State is No. 1 because of their overall consistent dominant play each week as well as their strength on offense and defense. Undefeated LSU is No. 2 because of its tough schedule and marquee wins over Florida and Auburn.”
The following week, LSU defeated No. 3 Alabama, so it was expected that the Tigers would jump the Buckeyes. They did, and here’s what Mullens said that week.
“LSU has four wins against top-20 teams, the most of any team in the nation. LSU’s win on the road against Alabama was impressive. Its offense is explosive. LSU is ranked No. 1. Ohio State is ranked No. 2. It continues to play at a consistently high level on both sides of the ball. They’re an excellent team.”
One of those four wins against top-20 teams for LSU was Texas, who lost this past weekend to Iowa State and dropped out of the rankings. That is why instead of touting LSU’s big wins first this week, the committee went with the shiny object instead.
“Here’s what the committee was thinking: LSU remains impressive with its powerful offense. They have three wins against teams in the top 25. Ohio State is strong on both sides of the ball. They’ve made a statement all year long.”
The first two weeks when talking about LSU, Mullens cited their wins before their offense. Heck, after the first rankings, the offense wasn’t even brought up in his initial rundown. This week, with their top-20 wins dropping to just three, he cited their powerful offense first. The reasoning has changed, but the ranking has not.
When it comes to the committee and Ohio State, however, nothing has changed, except for the rankings.
In the first week it was the Buckeyes’ “overall consistent dominant play” and “strength on offense and defense.” The second week it was “consistently high level on both sides of the ball.” This week, “Ohio State is strong on both sides of the ball.”
Interestingly, LSU’s defense hasn’t been mentioned directly once by Mullens in any of these teleconferences.
Yes, surprisingly the defense that has allowed 400 yards passing to both Texas and Alabama, and 400 yards rushing to Ole Miss, has not been cited as a reason for LSU’s No. 1 ranking.
But that LSU offense. They are unmatched.
Well, not exactly.
The Tigers (47.8) are second in the nation in scoring behind Ohio State (51.5). The Buckeyes actually have eight more touchdowns than LSU does this season, not that the committee is counting.
When Mullens was asked about the gap between the two teams after the first rankings, he mentioned both teams having outstanding offenses and did not mention either team’s defense.
“You know, two great teams, and when you’ve got two strong teams with quality schedules, both undefeated, two outstanding offenses, great quarterback play, so there’s a lengthy discussion, and at the end of the day, the committee felt that Ohio State was 1 and LSU was 2.”
It makes you wonder if the Buckeyes didn’t even need to have their defense talked about in order to be viewed as having a better resume than LSU.
Or maybe the committee doesn’t really concern themselves with defense any longer since the SEC West doesn’t either.
But maybe some data isn’t even necessary.
Like when after the Tigers’ win over Alabama, Mullens didn’t even cite the LSU offense as the reason for the gap between the Buckeyes and LSU. Back then, it was about the win over Alabama and the three other top-20 wins.
“Those two teams are both great teams, and again, Ohio State was ranked No. 1 last week because of their consistent play at a very high level. But when you look at LSU’s resume now, with a win on the road at Alabama to add to the win on the road at Texas, plus two marquee wins at home against Florida and Auburn, so four ranked wins, that’s the most of any team in the nation. With that, the committee felt they deserved to be No. 1.”
A week ago it was LSU’s wins that separated them from Ohio State. This week, those top-25 wins dropped by one, and so it was the Tiger offense that was seen as the difference. The same Tiger offense, by the way, that has eight fewer touchdowns than Ohio State.
Mullens was asked this week about how much they have talked about LSU’s defense and how much it factored into their rankings.
“In the committee room we do talk about the different phases of the game for sure,” he said. “But again, we’re watching the games, looking at exactly how it happens. But we are talking about phases.”
In other words, yes, they talk about LSU’s defense, but boy howdy, did you see Joe Burrow?!
Even with the committee changing their whys for having LSU No. 1, the Buckeyes likely aren’t yet locked out of the top spot.
The Tigers have one more game against a ranked opponent, which would give them four wins over ranked teams. Ohio State already has two wins, and provided both Cincinnati and Wisconsin stay in the rankings — and the Buckeyes beat ranked Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin/Minnesota in the Big Ten Championship Game — OSU would then also have more wins over ranked opponents than LSU.
They will also have a better defense than the Tigers, should the committee finally choose to admit that into evidence.
“Well, results are the most important thing,” Mullens said tonight. “Let’s start with that. But sure, when you dig beyond the results, we’re looking at the how, and so we are looking at offense, defense and special teams.”
If both LSU and Ohio State win out, then the committee’s choice should be clear.
But then who knows, they may end up choosing to find new reasons to like the Tigers more, just like they did this week.
It provides a lot of drama, but the only thing that matters is being in the top four. Gotta win two games, regardless.
Great job Tony! You got a ton of mentions by exciting both fan bases and sending their collective blood pressures through the roof. Penn State is this week – that’s all the focus I need. The good news is Coach Day said not one word about the CFP – take a guess why? Go Bucks.
Can you say jealous?
Joe!!!! Really???? U can’t be serious..why would the committee want Lsu to duck Clemson. Sounds like to me that u dont want UR bucks to b in that position..Well as we all college football fans know .no matter what conference we really love!!! We all know that the toughest.roughest.strongest.fastest.and athletic conference and let’s not forget. Most reliable to go pro!!! (SEC). Don’t even mention strength of schedule. Plain and simple!!! SEC!!
Hey Ohio State play somebody, anybody!
We’re LSU and you’re just Ohio State…..that’s All you need to know…
“We’re SEC and you’re just Big Ten…..that’s All you need to know…”
FIFY
But LSU has lots of wins over *SEC* teams. OSU has ZERO!
But who really cares, I just want to be number one after the last game, not in mid-November.
Go Bucks!
Tony…no mention of what if LSU beats Texas A&M and Georgia in SEC champs game. That would give them 6 wins over ranked teams out of 13 games!!!!
Bryan — Georgia would be their fourth ranked win. Texas A&M will not be in the rankings and are not currently in the rankings, which is what matters. Being No. 10 or whatever when LSU beat them is meaningless, especially to the committee.
OSU Sched Total Defense
FAU 66
Cincy 51
Indiana 18
Miami (OH) 59
Nebraska 82
MSU 31
Northwestern 33
Wicy 4
Maryland 107
Rutgers 110
Average 56
LSU Sched Tot Defense
Georgia Southern 54
Texas 111
Northwestern State * 131
Vandy 121
Utah State 96
Florida 13
Mississippi State 69
Auburn 24
Alabama 27
Average 72
* FCS School
LSU is 2nd in total offense and tOSU is 4th. LSU averages 556 yards per game and tOSU averages 542, against stronger defenses. And our defense is ranked 1st in total Defense and LSU is 47th. The SEC bias is as obvious as the nose on the face of a lying Pinocchio.
I wouldn’t put the bucks over LSU. I don’t know if the bucks would beat LSU head to head but you can’t ignore that win at Bama.
The not knowing is the best thing, and reading all the political football hype, is totally awesome….
This Buckeye team might be the GOAT. But Penn State and Wisky did OSU no favors by losing to lower teams prior to facing the buckeyes. LSU’s win at Bama is just more impressive than any numbers or wins bucks have had so far. Even if they beat PSU and UM that win over Bama will be better. It’ll all work out.
Honestly don’t care if they have us 1,2,3,4… even 5 or 6 (although I’d admittedly be sweating it a whole lot more if it were the latter two). All the team has to do is continue to play at a high level, continue improving, adjusting or fixing previous mistakes, study as much film as possible and go out there and have fun. Everything else will take care of itself. And the Committee are all but guaranteeing the narrative everybody wants to see play out, play out in the Championship Final. “Battle of the State Universities!”. “Battle of The Transfers!”. “Battle of The Heisman Winning QB and The Local School that “Didn’t Want Him”!”…
Win out and we’re 1/2 the rest of the way. Same with LSU.
I hope they keep us right there – add 3 SEC teams as well. Then we destroy them all.
Haaa! All you delusional buckeye fans…careful what you wish for wish for!! We comin!
What do you call a group of trolls? A flock? A herd? A turd? Go away.
Stop the freaking whining. Blow-Hio state never has and never will play a high caliber team. They are in the Big Ten East with Rutgers, Maryland and Indiana. I will give them credit they have managed to score but seriously they score 76 against Miami of Ohio and 73 against Maryland, and you state they have scored 8 more td’s then LSU! WONDER HOW? Ohio State is the prototypical Big Ten team in that their pre-conference is so weak, that when they get into conference play and they beat a team like Rutgers, Northwestern, Illinois, or Maryland the world is in awe because they also made it through pre-conference unbeaten. Where as the SEC schedules a few so called gimme games but they also bolster their schedule with ranked teams. Then many of the SEC teams are ranked so it becomes so cut throat in conference play, if you escape unbeaten you accomplished something. Oh by the way i am from the heart of Big Ten Country, but think there is nothing better then an SEC FOOTBRAWL GAME ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
JL- Enjoy your trollhood while it lasts. You typed a lot of medium sized words just now, take a break. Go back to your cave, enjoy a big chew, and pretend like the Civil War never ended. That’s it, that’s it, all better now. Avoid marrying a member of your own family if you can possibly help it, by the way. Idiot…
tOSU has played stronger defenses this year than LSU. Everything else you sighted is just an emotional outburst.
I think the only way Ohio State can regain the No.1 ranking is to win big against PSU and ttun, and then pound an 11-1 Minnesota (not Wisconsin!) in the B1G championship game. It would also help if LSU struggled in one or more of their three remaining games with Arkansas, aTm, or Georgia. Obviously an LSU loss would be perfect.
We should also be rooting for Minnesota against NW and Wisconsin. We don’t want a rematch with a 10-2 Wisky in the B1G title game. We will be expected to win handily and can’t gain any favor with the committee even if we blow them out.
JP- yep, you are right, especially about beating a 1 loss team in BIG title game (naturally, OSU has zero control over how Minn finishes). What we are seeing now is the setup I mentioned (and several others, like James M) weeks ago before the first CFP rankings were released. Somehow, these committee members are Jedi mind-tricked into worshipping the SEC (which until this season has meant Alabama). They slow play people into moving SEC teams and their opponents into positions where they can’t help but succeed, then use their own manipulation as “proof” of their seeding. Meanwhile, OSU cannot lose another game, while some combo of 2 SEC teams are practically promised slots EVEN IF THEY LOSE.
This is what it will take for that SEC committee to elevate the Buckeyes. Take the field Saturday and for 4 quarters, THE WHOLE GAME, rip the Lions guts out to the tune of 40 or 50 to ZIP, racking up 600 – 700 yards of offense, and allowing under 200……………..again.
Texas is a disaster level dumpster fire.
Auburn is WAAAAAAAAAAAY over rated. That they’re ranked is as criminal as the CFBPC’s lust affair with garbage cans like aTm and Miss State, and Over bloated Dame.
But this week. The Buckeyes face lowly Big 10 foe Penn State, while mighty LSU faces that mighty cellar dweller Ar-Kansas. SURELY scoring 45 – 50 points against such an SEC power like the HOGS, is worth more than beating a lousy number 8 (artificially propped of course to give a false sense of Committee fairness), by 40 or 50 points and slobber knocking their tin can offense.
1. LSU 50
AR-Kansas 21
2. Ohio State 50
8. Penn State 0
BUT DID YOU SEE THAT INSANE LSU OFFENSE AGAINST ANOTHER JUGGERNAUT FROM THE SEC? WOW………………………….:O
Polls released Tuesday.
1. LSU
2. Ohio State…………….maybe.
I have to shake my head at all the snowflakes whining about this. Really, the rankings right now are only slightly more important than pre-season rankings. I will write a check personally to Mr Mills for $100 if the Bucks win their next three games and aren’t ranked #1. It isn’t going to happen. Oh, they almost certainly will win the next three games. But no way, no how will the committee rank them anything other than #1 when the Bucks win out. Get a grip people.
I’ll take that wager. If LSU and OSU both win out, there is absolutely no chance LSU is not #1. The ESPN duped committee has proven every year that they will do whatever it takes to elevate the SEC teams. And they will definitely let LSU duck Clemson so they have an easier path to a home game in the finals.
Rick- you are an idiot if you think the current CFP rankings are the equivalent of a preaseason poll. OF COURSE the playoff rankings are vital, sheesh. And the #1 spot is coveted for a reason, “snowflake”. #1 gets choice of venue and, if the team happens to lose late but close, has more insulation than 2-4. Think before you type.
Longtime flan, do the rankings right now mean anything? Do they determine games or venues now? No? Ok, so my assertion that it doesn’t matter if we are 1 or 2 NOW stands. Stop reacting and think before you respond.
Should OSU be #1? Good loints above, however lose one game and none of this will matter. ESecPN wants to guarentee 2 SEC games as the playoff.
These comments are utterly fascinating. Certainly not becoming toward Ohio State fans, the mental midgets making them or mankind in general. It actually reads like some fairly well spoken TEN YEAR OLDS. I will avoid giving my thoughts on the polls because if the playoffs started Saturday, my Buckeyes are in! I’m pretty sure that’s the whole idea so I’m good and not much to comment on.
Gym Shorts- In response to your non comment that is very much a comment, “the idea” is to be in the top 4 in 3 weeks rather than now. Yes??
Oh, so now you understand the concept of the CFP. Wish you had caught on earlier.
Careful, Rick, peeing contests and skunks- you know? Restating my “think before you type” comment was REAL original…and YES, it does matter where OSU stands now. The higher OSU stands, the more cushion they have if they lose and the fewer number of SEC teams that can jump them without justification. Have you been in a coma the past 5 years? On second thought, I don’t care where you’ve been. Go away, learn your subject a bit for heaven’s sake…