Is Ohio State still No. 1 in Joel Klatt's latest rankings after rolling past Penn State?
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The Ohio State football team entered November with a bang. We originally thought this game between the Buckeyes and Penn State would be a battle for conference supremacy, but the Nittany Lions have fallen on hard times. Even though it was just a three-point lead heading into halftime, Ohio State was clearly in control and would prove it coming into the third quarter with guns blazing. The Bucks pulled away and cruised to an easy victory.
There were a few top teams that were knocked off this week, most notably the Miami Hurricanes. Miami fell to unranked SMU in overtime after being a 10.5-point favorite. Vanderbilt fell to Texas, and Georgia Tech fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Indiana continued to roll and looked dominant again in a win over Maryland. But did the Hoosiers do enough to close the gap between themselves and the Buckeyes? Joel Klatt has released his latest rankings of where he sees things. After a week of upsets, there’s bound to be some changes in his latest Top-10.
No. 10 – Texas Tech Red Raiders
Last Week’s Ranking – Unranked
What We Think
Texas Tech rolled into Manhattan, Kansas, and made light work of Kansas State. The Red Raiders have only played one ranked opponent thus far. They get their second in a clash against BYU next week. A win against the Cougars will keep Tech on a path to the College Football Playoff.
No. 9- BYU Cougars
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 10
What We think
BYU has passed every test so far this season and remains undefeated. But the Cougs still have some tough opponents on the schedule to deal with, starting with a road contest against Texas Tech. Win in Lubbock and BYU could be a lock for the College Football Playoff.
No. 8 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 7
What We Think
Just when we thought Notre Dame might be all the way back and playing its best football, the Irish struggle with one-win Boston College. Not a good look, but a win is a win. The Navy Midshipmen are up next on the schedule, who were previously undefeated until a 31-17 loss this past weekend to North Texas. It should be easy sailing for Notre Dame again this week.
No. 7 – Ole Miss Rebels
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 8
What We Think
The Rebels really challenge themselves with The Citadel this week, while Lane Kiffin’s name keeps getting floated around for just about every head coach opening in the country.
No. 6 – Georgia Bulldogs
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 5
What We Think
The Bulldogs went to the world’s largest cocktail party expecting to have a ball, but instead found themselves in a dogfight with the three-win Florida Gators. The SEC crowd will tell you it’s just another example of how deep the conference is. Maybe the conference is still living on past reputation and not as good as it once was. We feel there’s a good chance it may be the latter.
No. 5 – Oregon Ducks
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 6
What We Think
Oregon was off this week, which was probably a good thing after a lackluster showing against Wisconsin. The Ducks now have to go to Iowa City to face a very good Hawkeye defense, which is also coming off a bye week. You can’t sleep on Iowa in Kinnick, and if Oregon does, it may result in another conference loss.
No. 4 – Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 4
What We Think
Alabama was off this past week, and now they get an LSU team that is talented but reeling. Maybe the Tigers will show a little fight with Brian Kelly gone, but we suspect the Tide will continue to roll.
No. 3 – Texas A&M Aggies
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 3
What We Think
The Aggies had a bye week as well, and that might be a good thing. Traveling to Missouri to face the No. 19 Tigers will be no easy task. It’s very possible that Texas A&M is hungover from a win in Baton Rouge. It just feels like the Aggies are going to take one on the chin before the end of the regular season, and it could be this week.
No. 2 – Indiana Hoosiers
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 2
What We Think
Indiana continues to steamroll opponents as it took care of Maryland this week to the tune of 55-10. It’s like the Hoosiers are making up for all the years of being bullied in the Big Ten. IU now heads to Happy Valley to face Penn State. The Nittany Lions look lost and most likely won’t pose much of a threat. Curt Cignetti will tell you he is taking things one week at a time, but you can bet he has his eyes set on Indianapolis and a showdown with the Ohio State. Speaking of the Buckeyes…
No. 1 – Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Week’s Ranking – No. 1
What We Think
Yes, Ohio State only led by three points going into halftime against Penn State, but it never felt like it was that close. The Buckeyes came out in the second half and dropped the hammer on the Nittany Lions. With the No. 1 defense in the land and an offense that keeps getting better week by week, Ohio State is the most complete team in the country. The Buckeyes remain No. 1 in Klatt’s rankings and should be No. 1 when the first College Football Playoff rankings come out on Tuesday.
Joel Klatt’s Full Rankings
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State looks to stay on top in Joel Klatt’s newest CFB rankings
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