COLUMBUS – A dominating win over a Big Ten opponent on national TV helped the Buckeyes move into one of the top four spots in the latest AP Top 25 college football poll.
Losses to unranked opponents from the Big Ten West ended Ohio State’s bids for the College Football Playoff the last two years. The Buckeyes seem determined not to repeat that trend this season, judging by their 48-7 win over Nebraska.
The victory also allowed Ohio State to leapfrog an idle LSU team to No. 4 in the poll.
Next up is a home game against No. 25 Michigan State (7:30 p.m. Sat., Oct 5/ABC/ESPN).
After the previous No. 1 team, Clemson, eked out a one-point victory at North Carolina, Alabama took over the top spot for the first time this season, giving the AP Top 25 presented by Regions Bank the first shake-up at the top this season.
The last time a No. 1 team won and dropped was Ohio State on Nov. 7, 2015.
LSU, Oklahoma, Auburn, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Florida round out the top 10.