One of the conversations over the weekend included the major college football polls and Big Ten teams — specifically Ohio State. Why were the Buckeyes were not in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll after it was announced the conference was back in the fray? If not now, when? And where would Ohio State be included when the Big Ten will presumably be eligible during the next release?
It befuddled many when the Buckeyes and their conference brethren were left out. Then there was the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY. It did include OSU, but down at No. 10. That’s a far cry from the preseason No. 2 ranking it had when we last saw Ohio State before the Big Ten season was shelved amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
First things first. Let’s debunk the MIA status when it comes to the AP Poll. Sure, the Buckeyes are undoubtedly one of the best 25 teams in the nation. However, since they have not played a game yet, and won’t until October 24, the AP decided to wait until next week to have the Big Ten teams eligible. No harm, no foul. We’ll see where the Buckeyes land next Sunday before we bring down the ax of judgment.
Now, about the Amway Coaches Poll. While seeing Ohio State at No. 10 is a bit curious to say the least, there’s still the little problem of OSU not playing a game for another month and a shortened eight-game regular-season. It’s apples to oranges, or buckeyes to well — whatever mascot, fruit, or namesake you want to pick.
But wait, what about the SEC? It hasn’t played any games either. Well, those teams start this week, so while the conference hasn’t played any games yet either, a few missed games isn’t quite the same as a month of missed games. The pollsters are including the Big Ten but are likely taking a wait and see approach until some things smooth out a bit.
New Amway Poll is out, Ohio State well below preseason expectations https://t.co/smwwS5jla1
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) September 20, 2020
So for a few weeks we probable we won’t see the Buckeyes or any Big Ten team up where we would expect in the major polls. Until voters know games are played, or they get closer to starting, there are just too many unknowns. Really, it is the only fair way to do it, as much as we all hate seeing it.
But here’s the good news. The AP and Amway Coaches Poll are just fodder anyways. The poll that really matters is the College Football Playoff rankings and those don’t come out until November 17. By that time, Ohio State will have played four games. That’s enough for the CFP Committeed to get some gauge on the Buckeyes. If they look fantastic, the whole “four best teams” thing comes into play.
So hang in there. After all, it is 2020, and this is par for the course.
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Also: Predicting every game on Ohio State’s schedule
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