Ohio State has hit a historic low, falling to No. 20 in the College Football Playoff rankings released on Tuesday, Nov. 10. This marks the lowest position the Buckeyes have occupied since the CFP inception in 2014, surpassing their previous bottom of No. 16 in the inaugural rankings. The drop also signifies the first time Ohio State has fallen outside the top 12 since 2017, cementing a season that has become the program’s worst since 2011.
Buckeyes drop to No. 20, marking their worst playoff-era finish since 2014
The collapse began with a 6-1 start that saw the preseason No. 1 team defeat defending champion Indiana, but the injury to starting quarterback Julian Sayin during that victory proved fatal. Since Sayin’s exit, the offense has sputtered, leading to a loss to USC in Los Angeles and a subsequent rout by Oregon. These back-to-back defeats have erased the early-season momentum, leaving head coach Ryan Day facing intense scrutiny as the team’s recent struggles have visibly eroded fan goodwill.
With the Buckeyes now ranked No. 20, the path to a playoff berth has become nearly impossible, highlighting the fragility of a roster built around a single star player. The decline from the top of the Coaches Poll to the bottom of the CFP field underscores the rapid unraveling of what was expected to be a title contender. As the season progresses, Ohio State must now focus on salvaging its reputation and rebuilding confidence after a campaign that has set a new negative benchmark for the modern era.
Source: Yahoo Sports
