Ohio State Football
Buckeyes solidify spot near top of polls after blowout win
COLUMBUS — Ohio State finally returned to the field Saturday. And that return was quite emphatic.
The Buckeyes used an improved defensive performance and named their score on the hapless Michigan State defense to earn a 52-12 Big Ten win and reassert themselves as one of the best four teams in college football.
Coaches and voters agreed. Ohio State checked in at No. 4 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll, behind only No. 1 Alabama, Notre Dame and Clemson. The Buckeyes received one first-place vote in the Coaches Poll.
Despite being down head coach Ryan Day, three assistant coaches, three starters on the offensive line and a handful of defensive playmakers, the Buckeyes were able to do nearly anything they wanted on Michigan State. They jumped out to a huge first-half lead and continued to pour the scoring on in the second half. Finally, Ohio State put together a four-quarter game that was dominant.
“We certainly have a lot more football to play, but we live to see another day,” Day said from his home office on a Zoom call with reporters. “With these kinds of challenges and the adversity that we’ve been through, I think that was a moment. It’s something that everybody needs to enjoy for a night, and then we’re on to the Team Up North.”
The Game, scheduled for Saturday, is not guaranteed as the Wolverines are still going through their own COVID-19 situation, but the Buckeyes will be ready to build on what they did against Michigan State on Saturday, no matter which Big Ten opponent they face.
The full poll can be found below.
Coaches Poll (Dec. 6)
No. 1 – Alabama
No. 2 – Notre Dame
No. 3 – Clemson
No. 4 – Ohio State
No. 5 – Texas A&M
No. 6 – Florida
No. 7 – Cincinnati
No. 8 – Miami (FL)
No. 9 – Indiana
No. 10 – Georgia
No. 11 – Iowa State
No. 12 – Oklahoma
No. 13 – Coastal Carolina
No. 14 – Northwestern
No. 15 – Southern California
No. 16 – BYU
No. 17 – Louisiana-Lafayette
No. 18 – Iowa
No. 19 – Tulsa
No. 20 – North Carolina
No. 21 – Liberty
No. 22 – Colorado
No. 23 – Texas
No. 24 – North Carolina State
No. 25 – Wisconsin
AP Poll (Dec. 6)
No. 1 – Alabama
No. 2 – Notre Dame
No. 3 – Ohio State
No. 4 – Clemson
No. 5 – Texas A&M
No. 6 – Florida
No. 7 – Cincinnati
No. 8 – Indiana
No. 9 – Miami (FL)
No. 10 – Iowa State
No. 11 – Coastal Carolina
No. 12 – Georgia
No. 13 – Oklahoma
No. 14 – BYU
No. 15 – Northwestern
No. 16 – Southern California
No. 17 – Louisiana Lafayette
No. 18 – Tulsa
No. 19 – Iowa
No. 20 – North Carolina
No. 21 – Colorado
No. 22 – Liberty
No. 23 – Texas
No. 24 – Buffalo
No. 25 – Wisconsin
