Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Chris Olave (17) and the rest of the Buckeyes walk off the field before the game against Wisconsin on Oct. 26. Ohio State won 38-7. Credit: Amal Saeed | Photo Editor
Ohio State debuted at No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, revealed Tuesday on ESPN.
In the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, Ohio State ranks No. 3, but it jumped Alabama and LSU to take the top overall spot.
This past season’s national champion, Clemson, is the first team out at No. 5, despite being undefeated this season. Penn State, ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll, jumped Clemson in the playoff rankings. Ohio State faces off with the Nittany Lions at home Nov. 23.
The Buckeyes won the inaugural CFP in the 2014 season after entering as the No. 4 seed, beating Alabama and Oregon to capture a national title.
In 2016, Ohio State entered the playoff as the No. 3 seed, but lost to Clemson 31-0 in the semifinal.
The Buckeyes were the first team out of the playoff in 2017 and were ranked No. 6 in the final CFP rankings this past season ahead of bowl play.
Ohio State kicks off against Maryland at noon Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
