College Football Playoff rankings: Where is Ohio State ahead of conference championship weekend?

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football had to drop in the College Football Playoff rankings, the only question was how far.

The CFP selection committee dropped the Buckeyes down to No. 6 on Tuesday, following their 30-24 loss at Michigan, which moved up one spot to No. 2. The four undefeated teams — Georgia, the Wolverines, Washington and Florida State — comprise the top four teams who control their own destiny with conference championship wins this weekend.

Oregon also moved up to No. 5 as a one-loss team ahead of OSU. The Ducks’ only ranked win was a victory over No. 20 Oregon State at home last week.

Ohio State debuted at No. 1 in the first rankings reveal on Oct. 31. Georgia took over at No. 1 two weeks later. Michigan had held at No. 3 throughout the first four reveals.

Last season, OSU dropped to No. 5 in the rankings after its home loss to Michigan. When USC suffered a second loss later that week in the Pac-12 championship game, the Buckeyes rose into the top four of the final rankings and made the semifinals.

This year, however, four Power 5 teams remain undefeated heading into conference championship weekend. Also, three one-loss teams — No. 5 Oregon, No. 7 Texas and No. 8 Alabama — are all playing in their championship games later this week. All three could jump over the Buckeyes with wins this weekend.

Ohio State, for the third year in a row, will be at home.

Penn State moved up one spot to No. 10, and Notre Dame moved up one spot to No. 17. Both have stood up as the nucleus of OSU’s resume. It would take a big chain reaction of events this weekend for that resume argument to come back into play for the Buckeyes.

College Football Playoff Nov. 28 rankings