Buckeyes drop to No. 6 in AP, coaches polls after loss to Michigan

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — Ohio State’s regular season is over after losing 30-24 to Michigan in Ann Arbor. That loss also meant a significant drop in the rankings for the Buckeyes as they sit out from Championship Saturday.

Ohio State (11-1, 8-1) has been ranked No. 6 in the new Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls, a four place drop after being ranked 2nd before playing the Wolverines. Among the four one-loss teams in contention to make the College Football Playoff, OSU is ranked second ahead of Texas and Alabama but behind Oregon.

The Buckeyes are likely to be among the first two teams out when the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings are announced on Tuesday night.

Another Ohio school joined the AP rankings with the Toledo Rockets coming in at No. 23 after an 11-1 regular season. Toledo will face the Miami RedHawks on Saturday in the Mid-American Conference championship game.

Associated Press Poll (Nov. 26, 2023)

Coaches Poll (Nov. 26, 2023)

The Buckeyes will root for chaos this weekend as they hope a string of upsets could put them in the College Football Playoff. Each of the power five conference championship games will effect the playoff picture and upsets in a majority of them could slingshot OSU back into the top four.

Sunday at noon will be the announcement of the final four-team playoff before the CFP expands to 12 teams for the 2024 season. If the Buckeyes miss the playoff, they will likely play in the Orange Bowl.

Pac-12: No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 3 Washington (FRI Dec. 1, 8 p.m.)

Big 12: No. 19 Oklahoma State vs. No. 7 Texas (SAT Dec. 2, 12 p.m.)

SEC: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 Alabama (SAT Dec. 2, 4 p.m.)

Big Ten: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 18 Iowa (SAT Dec. 2, 8 p.m.)

ACC: No. 15 Louisville vs. No. 4 Florida State (SAT Dec. 2, 8 p.m.)