COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Another victory over a ranked team propelled Ohio State football back to the top of the College Football Playoff rankings.
The CFP selection put the Buckeyes back at No. 1 and dropped LSU to No. 2, in rankings released Tuesday night on ESPN. Ohio State was No. 2 the past two weeks after being the top team in the first ranking.
“Ohio State’s been a complete team and that win over Penn State was its third against teams we currently have ranked in the top 19,” CFP selection committee chair Rob Mullens said on why OSU jumped LSU.
“It’s probably that complete team piece. Ohio State has been very good on both sides of the ball.”
Clemson remained No. 3 and Georgia stayed at No. 4. Alabama stayed at No. 5 and Utah moved up to No. 6.
Ohio State’s 28-17 victory over now-No. 10 Penn State gave it three victories over teams in the current CFP Top 25 — all at home. It also defeated No. 12 Wisconsin (38-7) and No 19 Cincinnati (42-0). The Buckeyes could further enhance their resume Saturday with a win at Michigan, No. 13 in Tuesday’s rankings.
LSU also has three victories over CFP top 25 teams — No. 5 Alabama on the road and No. 11 Florida and No. 15 Auburn at home. It will also play No. 4 Georgia in the SEC championship game.
Two more rankings remain — one next week after the end of the regular season and another after the conference championship games. Ohio State has already qualified for the Big Ten championship game, where it will face either Wisconsin or No. 8 Minnesota.
The Buckeyes have qualified for the playoff twice before but had never been the No. 1 team prior to the initial ranking this season.
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