One of the things we like to do here at Buckeyes Wire is debate. We’re good at it, even when we’re wrong. Each Friday, we’ll throw out a topic that seems to be in the news and provide a round table forum of discussion. Sometimes it’ll be two writers, sometimes more. Sometimes it’ll be hotly debated, sometimes more civil.
Heck, sometimes it’ll be outlandish, but it’s fun nonetheless.
You can even get in on the act by going to our Facebook or Twitter page (at the bottom of this article) and providing your own input, but beware — we do like to respond and hash it out, so be ready for some debate yourself.
This week, we discuss the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, specifically at the top. Ohio State was displaced by LSU and we’re asking our writers if the Buckeyes should still be ranked ahead of the Bayou Tigers.
We’re going to let Brock kick this one off …
Next … Brock Netter, what say you?
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
I get all of the commotion about how Ohio State should be No. 1 because it has looked like the No. 1 team in America.
However, Buckeye fans around the world should be celebrating that they’re No. 2. Remember, no team that has been ranked No. 1 in the second week of the College Football Playoff system has won the title.
Not to mention, being No. 1 for Ohio State is nearly a curse (see 2006). The Buckeyes have looked very impressive. Plus they’ll be back up to No. 1 after beating Penn State & TTUN.
LSU has the resume and the signature win to be No. 1. Plus, have you seen Joe Borrow this year? Him changing the LSU culture alone is worthy alone of a top 5 rating.
The committee has it right … for now (probably only the third time I’ve ever said that).
Next … Mark, has his turn
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
No way Brock. Absolutely, the Buckeyes should be ranked ahead of LSU!
Let me preface that by saying that when the first ranking came out, I fully expected LSU to be ranked No. 1 with Alabama sitting at No. 2 setting up another “Game of the Century.” Queue up the sarcastic eye roll.
I was pleasantly surprised that the CFP committee put the Bucks in that first slot as OSU has dominated in every matchup so far. LSU has been great this season and I’m rooting for Joe Burrow, but the defense has lacked at times. Ohio State clearly has been the best all around team in 2019.
If the committee thought Ohio State was the No. 1 team after week one, what exactly did it do to drop a spot? Yes, LSU got a huge win in Tuscaloosa, no easy task, but to move the Buckeyes down after another dominating performance? Slap in the face.
Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter as long as you’re in the playoff, but the SEC bias is getting old. I’m sure the coaching staff is reminding the players of the lack of respect and giving this team one more reason to stay focused, because when this team is zeroed in, I believe they beat any team in the nation by at least two touchdowns… including LSU.
Next … Phil locks it in
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
Sorry Brock. I agree with Mark. Let me pose this question: If this year’s Ohio State team was doing what it has so far but it was named Alabama, do you think the College Football Playoff Committee would have dropped the Tide? I’ll tell you that answer, and it is a resounding no.
In fact, Ohio State is the first team to drop from the No. 1 slot in the CFP rankings since inception without losing. The Buckeyes haven’t just beaten every team on its schedule, it has eviscerated every single opponent. It’s the only team with a top five offense and defense, and leads almost every single efficiency category you can find.
I could get on my soap box here, but the fact that the Committee is charged with picking the four best teams means it should be picking them in order of No. 1 through 4. We keep hearing it’s not supposed to be about most-deserving, yet LSU gets elevated to the No. 1 spot because it has the better wins.
I had to give that a sideways glance because just a couple of years ago, it was Ohio State who had the more impressive wins, but got left out over Alabama because the Committee felt the Tide were just the better team. That’s what it all boiled down to.
You can’t have it both ways.
Most everyone would agree (metrics included) that Ohio State looks like the most dominant team, yet they all seem to think LSU gets put on top of the pile because it has beaten more top-end teams.
That’s not how this thing is supposed to work. Good thing all the Buckeyes have to do is keep winning and it’ll all take care of itself.
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