Ohio State Plunges to No 21 in AP Poll After Back-to-Back Losses
Ohio State dropped 10 places in the AP poll after consecutive losses to USC and Oregon.
Two weeks ago, the Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked second in the nation. However, they now find themselves in 21st place in the national rankings after suffering back-to-back defeats, raising concerns about their season. This drop of 10 places from the previous week came following a 41-28 home loss to Oregon on Saturday, which left Ohio State with a 6-3 overall record and 4-2 conference record. The Buckeyes' lowest ranking since the disrupted 2020 season, according to the Associated Press, was back in 2014.
The Buckeyes had already lost nine spots after a 30-18 home defeat against Southern California on October 31st. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day acknowledged the team's poor record, stating, "To lose three games is unacceptable, and I own that." He added that the coaching staff needs to review their approach comprehensively, mentioning that freshman quarterback Luke Fahey has been placed in challenging situations that require accountability for the issues.
Oregon maintained its position at No. 18 in the poll, while UCLA topped the conference with a ranking of No. 4. Indiana, USC, and Iowa rounded out the Big Ten's six ranked teams, with Oregon and Ohio State being the conference's lowest-ranked representatives. Ohio State has three regular-season games left, starting with a home game against Northwestern on November 14th, followed by a visit to Nebraska and a home game against Michigan on November 28th.
These upcoming games present the Buckeyes with three opportunities to respond to the significant drop in their rankings that has altered their season trajectory.
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