Buckeyes placed at No. 4 spot in new rankings, Oregon becomes new No. 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Even with Ohio State on the sidelines, the drama of this college football season continued and it helped move the Buckeyes up in one of the two major rankings..
The Buckeyes (5-1, 2-1) have been ranked No. 4 in both the Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches poll after their second bye week of the season. While they maintained their AP spot, they moved up one spot in the coaches rankings.
For the first time this year, a Big Ten team is ranked No. 1 as Oregon, the only team Ohio State has lost to this season, claimed the top spot from Texas. The Ducks are the fourth team this season to be ranked No. 1 in the AP rankings.
The 2024 college football season has been one with continuing twists, turns, and unparalleled drama with more eye popping results in Week 8. The Longhorns' 30-15 loss to Georgia marked the fourth consecutive week a team ranked No. 1 or No. 2 lost. The Bulldogs moved back up to No. 2 while Texas went down four spots to No. 5 in the AP poll.
Ohio State fans enjoyed seeing Michigan's season dash after the Wolverines lost 21-7 to Illinois, marking Michigan's third loss this season. Another powerhouse's playoff hopes hang by a thread as Alabama lost its second game 24-17 to Tennessee. We also have seen unlikely teams climb up the rankings like undefeated sides Iowa State, BYU, Indiana, Army, and Navy.
Associated Press poll (Week 9)
| 1 | Oregon (59) |
| 2 | Georgia (2) |
| 3 | Penn State |
| 4 | Ohio State |
| 5 | Texas |
| 6 | Miami (FL) |
| 7 | Tennessee |
| 8 | LSU |
| 9 | Clemson |
| 10 | Iowa State |
| 11 | BYU |
| 12 | Notre Dame |
| 13 | Indiana |
| 14 | Texas A&M |
| 15 | Alabama |
| 16 | Kansas State |
| 17 | Boise State |
| 18 | Mississippi |
| 19 | Pittsburgh |
| 20 | Illinois |
| 21 | Missouri |
| 22 | SMU |
| 23 | Army |
| 24 | Navy |
| 25 | Vanderbilt |
The Buckeyes return to the field on Saturday when they host Nebraska at noon. Ohio State will be hungry for a big victory as they look for redemption from its 32-31 loss to Oregon. After Saturday's game against the Cornhuskers, the Buckeyes travel to play No. 3 Penn State.
The trend of top-two teams losing could continue in Week 9 as No. 1 Oregon is set to host No. 20 Illinois at 3:30 p.m. No. 3 Penn State will play at Wisconsin at 7:30 p.m. on NBC4. Other games to watch include No. 5 Texas heading to No. 25 Vanderbilt, No. 8 LSU facing No. 14 Texas A&M, and a showdown in New Jersey between No. 12 Notre Dame and No. 24 Navy.
Week 9 is the penultimate week before the first College Football Playoff rankings are revealed on Nov. 5. This will also be the first rankings reveal in the 12-team playoff era.