COLUMBUS – A loss by one of the top five teams in the Associated Press college football poll helped the Buckeyes while the voters punished Cincinnati for failing to rack up style points when playing inferior opponents.
Oklahoma’s loss to Baylor allowed Ohio State (9-1, 7-0 Big Ten) to move up to No. 5 while Alabama jumped Cincinnati to No. 2 behind Georgia.
The switch from Cincinnati at No. 2 was more about the Bearcats than the Crimson Tide.
Cincinnati remained unbeaten after winning at USF 45-28, but it was the fourth straight week the Bearcats played a team with a losing record and found themselves in a competitive game in the second half.
Oregon moved up to No. 4 and Notre Dame was sixth.
Ohio State’s next opponent – Michigan State – was No. 7. The Spartans visit Ohio Stadium Saturday (Noon/ABC).
The Buckeyes travel to Ann Arbor to play No. 8 Michigan on Nov. 27 (Noon/FOX).
Meanwhile, Oklahoma dropped eight spots to No. 12 after losing for the first time this season, to Baylor, who moved up to No. 11 behind No. 9 Oklahoma State and 10th-ranked Mississippi.