Ohio State's initial CFP ranking is about more than its quarterback

Ohio State began the season at No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings, just shy of securing a spot in the playoff bracket. The drop in ranking was primarily attributed to the absence of starting quarterback Julian Sayin, whose injury forced Luke Fahey to make his debut in a 30-18 loss at USC. However, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek, who leads the selection committee, highlighted additional factors that contributed to Ohio State's missed playoff cut.

These factors included the offense's inefficiency against the USC defense and defensive vulnerabilities to big plays, such as a 69-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Trent Mosley and a 70-yard catch by tight end Mark Bowman. Despite these challenges, Ohio State managed 464 total offensive yards, surpassing previous performances against Indiana and Maryland.

The committee's decision was based on limited data points, as Ohio State had only one game without Sayin, who helped lead the team to victories at Indiana and Iowa. While Fahey's first start showed promise, he will face increased scrutiny as Ohio State advances. The defense, historically strong, will also be under close examination in the upcoming stretch run.

Ohio State still holds a path to the Big Ten championship game, which would secure their automatic playoff berth, but they must elevate performance beyond quarterback play if their postseason fate is determined by the committee.