The college football world is buzzing after a new AP Top 25 ballot turned the hierarchy on its head. While the official poll has Miami sitting comfortably at No. 1, one prominent voter is bucking the trend and putting the Ohio State Buckeyes on the throne.
Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports has released her latest ballot, and she's got the Buckeyes at the top spot. It's a statement that's sure to spark debate, especially given Ohio State's early-season stumble against Texas. But Auerbach is clearly looking at the bigger picture, and she's not alone in her thinking.
The Case for Ohio State
Sure, that loss to the Longhorns stings, but since then, Ryan Day's squad has been on a tear. They went into Bloomington and handled Indiana, a team that's turned heads this year. The Buckeyes are peaking at the right time, and that's exactly what the selection committee will be looking at come December.
There's also the injury factor. Losing starting quarterback Julian Sayin to an arm injury would derail most programs, but Ohio State has the depth to weather that storm. The next-man-up mentality is real in Columbus, and it's showing on the field.
Not Everyone's Convinced
The official AP Poll has Miami at No. 1, with Ohio State right behind at No. 2. Georgia, Indiana, and Notre Dame round out the top five, while Utah, UCLA, BYU, Kentucky, and Alabama complete the top ten. That's a solid group, but Auerbach's ballot is a clear signal that she believes the Buckeyes are the best team in the land right now.
And she's got some high-powered backup. ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), the computer model that crunches numbers all season long, also has Ohio State at No. 1. The FPI updated its rankings on Sunday morning, and despite the Buckeyes coming off a bye week, they hold the top spot. That's a significant endorsement from the analytics crowd.
National Title Favorites
The Buckeyes aren't just climbing the polls; they're also the betting favorites to win it all. According to ESPN's FPI, Ohio State has an 18.9 percent chance to hoist the College Football Playoff trophy. That's the highest probability in the country, and it's a number that should make Buckeye fans very happy.
Next up for Ohio State is a showdown with USC, a game that will be a true test of their No. 1 credentials. If they can roll through the Trojans, Auerbach's ballot will look prophetic.
For those who want to dive deeper into the shifting landscape, check out how the rankings chaos has reshaped the SP+ model. And if you're wondering about the Buckeyes' quarterback situation, Urban Meyer's take on the QB choice is worth a read. Plus, with the season heating up, rumors of conference realignment are never far behind.
For now, the debate rages on: Is Ohio State truly the No. 1 team in the nation? Auerbach and the FPI say yes, and they've got the data to back it up.
