Eric Boggs
Ohio State has reclaimed its spot atop the college football world. After a hard-fought 14-7 victory over Texas in Week 1, the Buckeyes are now ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, marking their return to the top for the first time during the regular season since 2015.
The Buckeyes earned the nation’s respect with a defensive masterclass against the Longhorns, receiving 55 of 66 first-place votes in the AP Top 25 and 59 of 67 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll. This jump comes after beginning the year ranked No. 2 in the preseason Coaches Poll and No. 3 in the preseason AP Poll, proving that knocking off the preseason No. 1 on national television carries serious weight.
For Ohio State fans, this moment feels particularly satisfying. After ending last season atop the polls and hoisting the national championship trophy, the Buckeyes were still given little benefit of the doubt coming into the year, with many favoring Texas over the Buckeyes. But Ryan Day’s team made a statement under the lights in Week 1, shutting down one of the country’s most explosive offenses and showing the nation that the road to the playoff still runs through Columbus.
The rankings shift was significant for Texas as well. After entering the season ranked No. 1, the Longhorns fell to No. 7 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the Coaches Poll following their loss in Ohio Stadium. Meanwhile, Penn State now sits just behind Ohio State at No. 2 in both polls, with LSU, Georgia, Miami, and Oregon rounding out the top six.
The climb back to No. 1 marks an important milestone for Ohio State. The last time the Buckeyes held the top spot during the regular season was in 2015, when they began the year ranked No. 1 and stayed there for nine straight weeks. That season ended with heartbreak. Anchored by one of the nation’s most suffocating defenses under new coordinator Matt Patricia, maybe this season will end differently.
Saturday’s win over Texas was not just a victory; it was a statement to the rest of college football. With the Buckeyes back on top, the target is once again on their backs, but this group seems ready for the challenge. Ohio State fans know the expectations that come with being No. 1, and after watching this team dismantle the preseason favorite, it feels like the Buckeyes are built to handle the pressure.
For now, Columbus can celebrate being back where it belongs — at the top of the polls. But as Ryan Day reminded everyone after the game, this is only the beginning. There’s a long road ahead, and every opponent from here on out will bring their best shot. That said, if Week 1 was any indication, Ohio State has no plans of giving up its crown anytime soon.
