Eric Boggs
Ohio State continues to sit on top of the college football world, holding steady at No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches Polls following a 37-9 win over Ohio. The Buckeyes received 55 of 66 first-place votes in the AP Poll and 62 of 67 in the Coaches Poll, leaving no doubt who the best team in the country is heading into the bye week.
There was plenty of movement elsewhere in the rankings, but none of it impacts Ohio State’s standing. Miami and Georgia jumped Oregon in the AP Poll, while Florida State also climbed into the top five. Indiana surged into the top 20 after a 73-0 demolition of Indiana State, and Michigan bounced back to No. 21 after pounding Central Michigan. Texas A&M made the biggest leap thanks to a last-second road win over Notre Dame, while the Irish fell 16 spots. Clemson and South Carolina both dropped out after upset losses.
The Coaches Poll mirrored much of the same chaos, with Texas A&M making the biggest climb and South Carolina sliding but hanging on at No. 24 despite losing quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Washington, Ohio State’s next opponent, sits just outside the top 25 as it prepares for the Apple Cup before hosting the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes get an extra week off before making their first road trip of the season to Seattle on September 27. Kickoff against Washington is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS, marking the fourth different network to carry an Ohio State game this fall after FOX, Big Ten Network, and Peacock. The Huskies enter the game with a chance to impress against Washington State, while Ohio State begins Big Ten play in a tough environment at Husky Stadium.
History favors the Buckeyes, who own a 9-3 all-time record against Washington, including four straight wins. The most recent meeting came in the 2019 Rose Bowl, where Ohio State earned a 28-23 victory in Urban Meyer’s final game as head coach. With the Buckeyes rolling and still firmly in the driver’s seat of the national picture, all eyes now turn to Seattle for the next test.
