Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown catch during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025.

So Ohio State went out Saturday and did what it was supposed to do by routing Minnesota, and suddenly, the Buckeyes are Indiana.

All hat, no cattle. Thanks to our good friends at Texas.

A year after Indiana reached the College Football Playoff without a win of significance, Ohio State now finds itself in that same backwash.

Because if we’re being intellectually honest, what exactly has Ohio State done to deserve the No. 1 ranking? More important, what will Ohio State have done by the time the first College Football Playoff poll is released Nov. 4?

Struggled to beat a Texas team at home, the same Texas team that played at three-loss Florida and got drilled. And after that? Bupkis.

The next three games for the Buckeyes before the release of the poll: at Illinois (did you not see the Indiana game?), at Wisconsin (it’s only a matter of time before Luke Fickell is fired) and a home game against Penn State.

Let’s not even talk Penn State, OK?

The rest of the schedule: at Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers and finally, fittingly, the death march to Ann Arbor. Michigan doesn’t count in this assessment, because Michigan could be 6-5 and still beat Ohio State.

Like, you know, last season.

The only difference between Ohio State and Indiana, circa 2024: if the Buckeyes reach the Big Ten championship game, Oregon will be waiting.

A look at this week’s CFP projection:

1. Miami: The most complete team in the nation, with an easier road to the CFP than Ohio State. Next: bye week.

2. Oregon: Still deserves plenty of credit for not blowing the Penn State game, which it dominated before having to save it in overtime. Next: Indiana.

3. Oklahoma: Injured QB John Mateer won't play this week against Texas, and that should eliminate another SEC unbeaten. Next: Texas (in Dallas).

4. Ohio State: Quietly and confidently, QB Julian Sayin is becoming an efficient and dangerous thrower. Next: at Illinois.

5. Alabama: The offense is getting better with every series, and that’s not good for everyone in the SEC — even with a schedule that looks more difficult with each evolving week of the season. Next: at Missouri.

6. Texas Tech: This program in years past would’ve lost the past two road games. Not because they were difficult, but because Texas Tech didn’t have the defense and moxie. Now it does. Next: Kansas.

7. Ole Miss: A team on a mission, or a team that simply hasn’t played a heavy lift on the road? Next: Washington State.

8. Indiana: Best thing that could’ve happened to IU: a grinder of a win at Iowa last week, before two weeks to prepare for a statement moment. Next: at Oregon.

9. Georgia: It just looks clunky. All of it. The offense sputters, the defense isn’t the same dominating unit. With a dangerous game ahead. Next: at Auburn.

10. Texas A&M: I’m going to reserve on the Aggies because we’ve seen this show before. Next: vs. Florida.

11. Michigan: If you think Ohio State has an easy path to the first CFP poll, check out the Wolverines’ dance card. Next: at USC.

12. South Florida: While we focus on the Power conferences, a significant game in the race for the Group of Five CFP bid is here. Next: at North Texas.

First round games

No.12 South Florida at No.5 Alabama

No.11 Michigan at No.6 Texas Tech

No.10 Texas A&M at No.7 Ole Miss

No.9 Georgia at No.8 Indiana

First round byes: Miami, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio State.

This story was updated to change a video.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CFP projections: What exactly has Ohio State done to deserve a No. 1 ranking?

Reporting by Matt Hayes, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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