Ohio State had the chance to solidify its No. 1 ranking on Saturday night, but instead let Texas storm back in what may be the most haunting non-TTUN loss of the Ryan Day era. The Buckeyes could've braced for a tough schedule -- one that may be easier than originally thought after Oregon proved its futility against Oklahoma State -- with a marquee win in Austin.
Mission failed. The Buckeyes are now ranked No. 6. Deservedly so, too. With Kent State coming to town this Saturday, everyone should say a prayer for the Golden Flashes. A reckoning is coming at the "Shoe." One would think, anyway.
Even if/when OSU obliterates Kent State, though, the Buckeyes may be set to move down in the AP Poll after Week 3.
LSU and Ole Miss could jump Ohio State with a win
While Ohio State-Texas was a battle between two rosters filled with future NFL stars, things get very personal in Week 3 when Ole Miss hosts LSU in the Grove. Lane Kiffin, of course, is returning to the school he ditched mid-first-ever-CFP run for the Tigers.
It will be cinema. LSU is coming in as the country's No. 7 team, while Ole Miss is ranked No. 8. Whoever wins will likely jump the Buckeyes, regardless of how lopsided their Week 3 game against the Golden Flashes will be.
With one loss within the first two weeks and the risk of falling into the bottom half of the top 12, Ohio State fans may already be feeling CFP anxiety.
Ohio State likely falls down AP Poll because of teams ahead of them
Not only will the Buckeyes face falling down because of the two teams right behind them in the rankings, but also the teams ahead of them.
The Longhorns play UTSA. Georgia plays Arkansas. Notre Dame plays Michigan State. Indiana plays Western Kentucky. Miami plays Wake Forest. Anything can happen in college football, but it's tough to foresee a loss to any of the top five teams in the country.
It's just one week, and we're too early in the schedule to truly be worried. Ohio State played an actual opponent in Week 2, while none of those teams, besides UT, have played a true threat. Still, you want the Buckeyes to be a top-five team all year. There is enough talent on this team for Ohio State to have been a coast-to-coast No. 1.
You can blame Day for not giving his offense more of a shot against the Longhorns. The Buckeyes' defense probably should've let Texas score in the last minute. Instead, the clock ticked down too much to give Julian Sayin a true chance to drive down the field.
That Week 2 loss could sting Ohio State for a long time. It may be a distant memory by the end of the regular season. Only time will tell what the pain meter will read.
After Week 3, it's almost certain to sting the Buckeyes with their AP Poll standing.
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