Ohio State football had never blown a 20-point lead in the Ryan Day era. That was, until it played No. 3 Texas on the road on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The No. 1 Buckeyes fell to the Longhorns
24-23 in Week 2 after surrendering 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, ending in a game-winning touchdown run by Hollywood Smothers with 25 seconds left. Quarterback Julian Sayin and Ohio State got the ball back but only had time to run two plays before the clock expired.It was all Ohio State in the first half, as it led 20-3 at halftime with Jeremiah Smith dominating Texas' secondary. Smith finished the game with eight receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown, but
the Buckeyes were held to only three points in the second half as the Longhorns' defense held strong before their offense came alive.
Both teams looked like national championship contenders. Ohio State's loss doesn't necessarily result in a hit to its College Football Playoff hopes, either, with Texas likely to vault to No. 1 in the rankings for Week 3.
Where will Ohio State fall in the rankings? Here's a look at where the Buckeyes may find themselves in the updated US LBM Coaches Poll that releases Sunday, Sept. 13:
Where will Ohio State fall in rankings after Texas loss?
It's hard to imagine Ohio State falling more than a few spots in the polls, especially with Texas likely to take over the No. 1 spot following its comeback win.
Texas only trailed No. 2 Georgia and Ohio State in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, and with the best win in college football so far this season, the Longhorns should have no issues jumping to No. 1 in the rankings over both the Buckeyes and Longhorns.
For Ohio State, it will easily stay in the top 10 of the rankings, somewhere in the 5-10 range — likely behind No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 5 Indiana, both of whom should move up a spot with Ohio State's loss. The Buckeyes have a natural stopping point at No. 5 after No. 6 Oregon dropped a stunner to Oklahoma State, though they could also drop another spot, to No. 6, behind Miami, which has been dominant so far this season.
Ohio State's quality loss (yes, we know) should be enough to keep it ahead of No. 8 LSU, though.
- Rankings prediction: No. 6
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio State football rankings: Where will Buckeyes fall after collapse vs Texas?
