Stumbling Buckeyes tumble out of Top 25
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
Mark another loss for Ohio State in a year full of setbacks.
The Buckeyes fell out of The Associated Press college football rankings for the first time in nearly seven years, ending the nation’s longest streak of appearances in the Top 25.
Coming off a 24-6 beating at Miami, the Buckeyes dropped from No. 17 in the media poll released Sunday. They had been ranked in 103 straight Top 25s since last being left out on Nov. 20, 2004.
It’s been a year of loses and embarrassments for the Buckeyes stemming from NCAA violations committed by players who traded memorabilia for tattoos.
Coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign on Memorial Day, star quarterback Terrelle Pryor left school early for the NFL with further NCAA scrutiny looming and several key players serving NCAA suspensions.
The loss of Pryor, who would have been a senior, has left Ohio State (2-1) with huge problems at quarterback, and not until the sixth game of the season will the Buckeyes get three other key offensive players back in the lineup — running back Dan Herron, receiver DeVier Posey and tackle Mike Adams.
The Buckeyes are 95th in the nation in passing offense (172.3 yards per game) and 85th in total offense (342 ypg).
Those offensive issues were exposed against Miami. Ohio State quarterbacks Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller completed only four passes for 35 yards.
“I’m kind of shocked,” Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde said after the game in Miami. “I wasn’t expecting to lose to these guys.”
The Buckeyes face Colorado (1-2) in Columbus on Saturday then open their Big Ten schedule with a home game against Michigan State (2-1) before getting those starters back.
Oklahoma remained No. 1 after a 23-13 victory at Florida State. The loss dropped the Seminoles six spots to 11th.
For the third consecutive week, LSU and Alabama flip-flopped at Nos. 2 and 3. The Tigers moved up to second after winning 19-6 at Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide slipped to third. Boise State stayed at No. 4 and Stanford moved up to fifth.