The Ohio State Buckeyes handled business for the fifth time this season, moving to 5-0 after a 42-3 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the "Shoe" on Saturday. Despite doing everything right, OSU may move down in the polls, though.
ESPN's Heather Dinich believes the Miami Hurricanes, on the strength of a 28-22 win over the Florida State Seminoles at "Doak," deserve to be ranked No. 1 instead of the Buckeyes.
Dinich also held the Texas Longhorns' 29-21 loss to the Florida Gators in the "Swamp" against Ohio State, given the Buckeyes' best win was a grind-it-out 14-7 triumph over Arch Manning and Co. in Week 1.
"The Canes have the best combination of eye test and résumé, with wins against Notre Dame, South Florida, Florida and now Florida State. The Canes earned their first road win of the season, and they did it against their in-state rival, officially claiming the unofficial state title. Miami also entered Week 6 ranked No. 10 in the country in total efficiency and No. 4 in ESPN's strength of record metric. The Canes are checking all of the boxes for the committee's No. 1 team, including star power with quarterback Carson Beck and defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr.," Dinich wrote on the Canes.
"Undefeated Ohio State won at Minnesota, but it's hard to imagine the committee members giving the Buckeyes the nod for the top spot given Miami's résumé -- unless they truly believed Ohio State is more talented.
"The season-opening win against Texas is good -- but not great -- after Texas lost at Florida on Saturday. The Buckeyes' place in the pecking order is less about one standout win and more about the steady consistency expected from a national title contender."
ESPN has a media rights deal with the ACC. ESPN doesn't have a media rights deal with the Big Ten. Hence, Dinich selling the idea that "The U" should have the No. 1 ranking over the next two weeks as the Hurricanes have their bye and then take on the Louisville Cardinals on Friday, October 17.
Regardless, the Longhorns, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Clemson Tigers, the preseason No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 teams, have proven that college football polls don't matter anyway.
Buckeye fans don't need a number to know OSU is a serious problem for the rest of the sport this season.