Throughout the year, we will be asking and answering questions about various Ohio State teams, the players, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
Look, we fully admit that all of us here at Land-Grant Holy Land are unapologetic homers. But at this point in the season, we think that we can fairly confidently say that our
Ohio State Buckeyes are the best team in college football. Other fanbases can make their arguments if they would like, but, in those rare moments of quiet introspection that they only share with their therapists and clergy, even Ducks, ‘Canes, and Tide fans have to admit that the Buckeyes are the best team in the country.
So, given Oregon’s impressive-ish road win last weekend against the Kinds-Sorta Fighting James Franklins, we wanted to see who Buckeye Nation believes is right behind OSU. So, in this week’s fan survey, we want you to tell us who you think is the second-best team in the country, behind the Buckeyes. We also want your take on the winner and margin of victory for Saturday night’s matchup between Ohio State and Minnesota.
Check out the questions, and then vote in the survey at the bottom of the article. If the answer that you want to go with isn’t included, or you want to expound on your selection, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments at the bottom of the page.
Question 1: Who is the second-best team in the country?
We gave you 10 possible options (and an annoying number of them from the state of Texas), so pick the one that you believe is closest to Ohio State’s level of greatness. For me, it’s a two-team race behind Oregon and Miami. Both squads have beaten what I think is a pretty good, but probably not great, team in Penn State and Notre Dame, respectively.
I have a feeling that conference allegiance and recency bias might skew this for the Ducks, but I implore you to go into this with an open mind. And, if you want to get funky and throw in a Georgia or Florida State, feel free to head to the comment section at the bottom of this article and make your case.
Question 2: What will the margin of victory be in Saturday’s game against Minnesota?
On Sunday, the FanDuel Sportsbook opened its betting at OSU -22.5. Since then, it has risen to 23.5 points. The gold standard college football analytics system, SP+, has it as a 33-12 game in favor of the Buckeyes, which is 21 points. Fairly similar, but nearly a field goal difference.
So, while I will make my official pick and prediction on Saturday morning in the “Land-Grant Tailgate Podcast,” right now, I am inclined to go with something like 42-0. What do you expect? I said I was biased earlier.
Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
