The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the then-undefeated Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday.
While the game ended 20-13, it didn’t feel that close as the Nittany Lions totaled just six points offensively with that lone touchdown coming on the defensive side as Will Howard threw a pick-six in the first quarter.
Nonetheless, the Buckeyes rebounded and came out on top in front of a record crowd at Beaver Stadium. Just a few days later, they were placed No. 2 by the College Football Playoffs Committee.
CFP chair Warde Manuel, who also serves as the Michigan AD, talked about why the Buckeyes were ranked over the Georgia Bulldogs, who had been No. 2 in a plethora of other polls.
Here’s his explanation.
“Well, both are solid teams, as you know. Ohio State’s one loss on the road was against the No. 1 team, and they lost by one. They had an impressive win this past weekend at Penn State, and they have been very consistent. Top-5 defense. They have had changes on the offensive line but still performed, as you know, and Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, those three have really moved the offense. So for us, it was the consistency. Georgia, very good team, great win against Texas, a win over Clemson. Consistency in terms of their offense. They’ve had some inconsistencies there, but they have great defense, and they’re allowing only 17 points per game,” Manuel said via Letterman Row.
Here’s a full picture of the ranking.
🚨 FIRST CFB PLAYOFF RANKINGS 🚨
1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Miami
5. Texas
6. Penn State
7. Tennessee
8. Indiana
9. BYU
10. Notre Dame
11. Alabama
12. Boise State
13. SMU
14. Texas A&M
15. LSU
16. Ole Miss
17. Iowa State
18. Pitt
19. K-State
20. Colorado
21.…— College Football Report (@CFBRep) November 6, 2024
While these rankings favor the Buckeyes, there is still a month of football left prior to any postseason play.
Ohio State will have a home battle against the Purdue Boilermakers, a side that has yet to win a conference game this season, this weekend. It has Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan in the following games to wrap up the season.
