{
  "id": 18060897,
  "title": "Ohio State Fans Have the Same Complaint About Buckeyes’ CFP Ranking",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/ohio-state-fans-have-the-same-complaint-about-buckeyes-cfp-ranking",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-04T03:50:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/ohio-state-fans-have-the-same-complaint-about-buckeyes-cfp-ranking-12659836"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ohio State fans are expressing dissatisfaction with the CFP ranking committee's decision to place their team at No. 12, a spot that would exclude them from the projected 12-team playoff field. The Buckeyes recently lost to the USC Trojans 30-18, with backup quarterback Luke Fahey starting for the injured Julian Sayin. This loss reduced Ohio State's record to 6-2. Following the loss, the Buckeyes dropped from No. 11 in the AP Top 25 poll to No. 12 in the CFP rankings. Fans believe the committee is penalizing the school for Sayin's injury, which has left the inexperienced backup quarterback guiding the team through difficult times. Many have compared this to Florida State's exclusion from the four-team CFP in 2023, despite being undefeated and defeating Louisville in the ACC Championship Game. The Ohio State team is now facing a challenging schedule with games against Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan.",
  "summary": "Ohio State fans criticized the first College Football Playoff rankings, claiming the committee punished them for one reason.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ohio State fans upset over No. 12 ranking",
    "Loss to USC and injury impact cited",
    "Comparison to Florida State's 2023 situation"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The committee's decision to drop the Buckeyes threatens their postseason eligibility and mirrors previous controversies regarding how much weight is placed on roster stability and quarterback injuries.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}