Ohio State Football: Top 10 teams before CFP is released
5. Penn State (8-0) Off
In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, James Franklin is probably doing his finest work as a head coach in his time at Penn State. The Nitnnay Lions have quarterback Sean Clifford playing at a high level and a defense that is allowing just 9.63 points per game.
With wins over ranked opponents in Iowa and Michigan and upcoming dates against Minnesota and Ohio State, Penn State has its chance to make the CFP directly in front of them.
4. Clemson (9-0) defeated Wofford 59-14
The pundits have been crushing Clemson all season. All I hear is how they are not as good as last year’s team and that may be true, but I wouldn’t doubt the Tigers just yet.
The defense is sixth in the nation in terms of scoring and the offense seventh. Still undefeated with lopsided wins over Florida State, Louisville and Texas A&M, Clemson will get a shot at defending its National Championship with an easy schedule the rest of the way.
3. Alabama (8-0) Off
It really is very hard to separate the top three teams, but Alabama and LSU are about to change that next week when they play each other in Tuscaloosa. As long as Tua is healthy, and with a Nick Saban lead defense that is allowing only 34.88 yards rushing per game, this Alabama team is clearly one of the best in college football.
2. LSU (8-0) Off
Joe Burrow is getting it done for the Tigers. A clear favorite to win the Heisman, Burrow is fourth in the nation in total QBR . The Tigers are putting up 46.75 points per game, good enough for fourth in the country.
We all know that LSU has beat some very good teams in Texas, Auburn and Florida but its real test is next week vs. Alabama. The Tigers already have a great case to be No. 1, but if they go into Tuscaloosa and beat the Tide then they almost certainly would have to be considered the top-ranked team in the nation.
1. Ohio State (8-0) Off
This ranking is completely due to the eye test. I see one of the top offenses in college football, led by one of the best quarterbacks in college football to go along with the best defense in college football.
dark. Next. 7-2 in SEC more impressive than 8-0 in Big Ten-Big 12
Hard not to rank the Buckeyes No.1. They have three legitimate Heisman finalists, and with Penn State looming on Nov. 23 Ohio State will get its chance to prove the No.1 ranking is warranted.