Buckeyes plummet to No. 7 in new Associated Press poll following Michigan loss

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State's fourth straight loss to Michigan has sent them plunging down the pecking order in the latest college football rankings.

The Buckeyes (10-2, 7-2) dropped from No. 2 to No. 7 in the new Associated Press poll and to No. 8 in the USA Today coaches poll after suffering the shock 13-10 loss Saturday to the Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. The biggest upset in the rivalry's history ended with a postgame brawl at midfield after Michigan players planted a team flag at the 50-yard-line, prompting players for both teams engaging in scuffles.

OSU's loss puts them on the sidelines yet again from the Big Ten championship game, which will be between No. 1 Oregon and now No. 3 Penn State on Saturday in Indianapolis. The Buckeyes seem to be in good shape to still qualify for the College Football Playoff but are out of contention to earn a bye into the quarterfinals.

The Ohio State-Michigan fight was the first of many across the college football world Saturday in a heated final week of the regular season. Ohio State was joined by Miami as the other top-ten team to lose as the Hurricanes fell to Syracuse and former Buckeye quarterback Kyle McCord 42-38. Miami dropped to No. 14 while Boise State finally cracked the top-ten.

Associated Press poll (Week 15)

Conference championship week is here in what will be the final tests for playoff contenders before the committee selects the first 12-team bracket next Sunday at noon. Five conference champions are guaranteed spots into the College Football Playoff while seven at-large bids will be awarded.

Conference title games

• ACC: No. 8 SMU vs. No. 18 Clemson (Saturday, 8 p.m.)
• Big 12: No. 12 Arizona State vs. No. 16 Iowa State (Saturday, noon)
• Big Ten: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 3 Penn State (Saturday, 8 p.m.)
• SEC: No. 2 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia (Saturday, 4 p.m.)
• AAC: No. 24 Army vs. Tulane (Friday, 8 p.m.)
• C-USA: Jacksonville State vs. Western Kentucky (Friday, 7 p.m.)
• MAC: Miami vs. Ohio (Saturday, noon)
• Mountain West: No. 10 Boise State vs. No. 19 UNLV (Friday, 8 p.m.)
• Sun Belt: Marshall vs. Louisiana (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.)

Ohio State is among the teams sitting on the sidelines this weekend with a good chance of being chosen for the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will wait and see for a third straight season how the results of the weekend paint the bracket. Ohio State got the results it needed to qualify for the four-team playoff in 2022 but missed out in 2023.

Tuesday's penultimate playoff rankings announcement will likely keep Ohio State in playoff position and could have them go on the road for a first round game on Dec. 20 or 21. Using the Week 15 rankings, the Buckeyes would travel to play at Tennessee in the first round with the winner facing Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.

Playoff bracket evolution