Why Ohio State football should be first in the College Football Playoff rankings

The Ohio State football program has competed for a College Football Playoff spot every year since the CFP started back in 2014. The Buckeyes have been in the discussion for a spot until the final weekend of the year every season. They obviously haven’t made it every year though.

This year is different. The Buckeyes are still number two in the polls, so they will definitely be in the top four when the first College Football Playoff rankings come out tomorrow night. The question is where they will be ranked. Here’s the case for them to be ranked first.

First off, the Buckeyes now have a signature win. They achieved that win by beating Penn State in Happy Valley on Saturday 44-31. They did so thanks to a dominant game by J.T. Tuimoloau and the defense forcing six turnovers. Beating a top-15 program on the road is a great win.

Secondly, the stats show the Buckeyes are the most complete team in the country as well. They rank in the top five in both offense and defensive yards per game. The Ohio State football team also has a Heisman candidate in C.J. Stroud that keeps putting up sick numbers.

Georgia also has a top-five offense and defense. So why shouldn’t the Bulldogs be number one instead of Ohio State? Because Georgia has a close win. Quite frankly, they should have lost to Missouri in that game. They only beat the Tigers by four points. Ohio State doesn’t have a win by less than 11. Missouri is also currently 4-4.

Not only that, but Georgia has one ranked win at a neutral site. The Buckeyes’ ranked win was on the road. That’s a much tougher win to get than a neutral site victory. Ohio State’s resume is simply better when you look at it, plus they pass the eye test. They should be number one in the first rankings.

Now the winner of this week’s Tennessee/Georgia clash will likely move up to number one next week regardless, and that’s okay with me. But the Buckeyes should be number one when the show debuts tomorrow night.