Ohio State Fans Blame Sayin Injury for No. 12 Playoff Ranking
On November 3, Ohio State supporters criticized the College Football Playoff committee’s first rankings after the Buckeyes were placed 12th, outside the projected 12-team field.
Ohio State’s No. 12 position in the College Football Playoff committee’s opening rankings drew criticism from fans, many of whom argued that the team was being judged harshly because starting quarterback Julian Sayin is injured. The Buckeyes sit at 6-2 after losing 30-18 to USC, with backup Luke Fahey making his first start of the season.
Under the current selection format, Ohio State would miss the projected field, with No. 25 Boise State taking the place reserved for the highest-ranked Group of 6 team. The Buckeyes also stand at No. 11 in the latest AP Top 25.
Some fans compared the situation with Florida State’s exclusion from the four-team playoff in 2023. The Seminoles went unbeaten and won the ACC title, but the committee weighed the impact of quarterback Jordan Travis’ season-ending injury. Others said Ohio State might qualify if the playoff field were larger, while some pointed to the Buckeyes’ earlier loss to Texas after they squandered a 20-point fourth-quarter lead.
Sayin injured his throwing shoulder during an October 17 win over Indiana. Against USC, Fahey connected on 21 of 38 throws, totaling 260 yards and one touchdown to Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State’s remaining schedule includes Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan; ESPN analyst Heather Dinich said the team has little room for further mistakes.