3. No. 1-ranked Ohio State still looks questionable as a true contender
Ohio State might be the least impressive top-ranked team we’ve seen in the past decade. Not since Week 1 have we witnessed the electricity of this team playing at the top of its game. Instead, the Buckeyes have sputtered through miserable quarters of play, and they’re doing it against teams they should be blowing out.
Baylor is demonstrating what a top team should be accomplishing by blowing out lesser opponents. At this point, it’s hard to imagine Ohio State keeping up with or stopping the Bears, who have been breezing through their schedule, one blowout win after another.
Perhaps it’s for this reason players on Maryland’s sideline were reportedly calling Ohio State players, “spoiled, entitled and not No. 1” during the game, according to the Big Ten Network sideline reporter.
The final score of 49-28 doesn’t tell the tale. Ohio State, on paper, should be absolutely pasting a relative cupcake like Maryland, which fell to 2-4 on the season. Imagine what Baylor would do to a team that gave up 45 and 48 points to the likes of West Virginia and Bowling Green?
Things just aren’t clicking like they should be right now for Ohio State. The Buckeyes won’t really be tested until later in the season, but nobody should be surprised if they have already lost a game before they get to the Michigan State/Michigan gauntlet at the end of the season. A program like Minnesota could realistically stymie Cardale Jones and the offense, the way it’s been going lately.
All that said, the wins do matter. And, if this team ever does start playing up to its potential, Urban Meyer and Co. could be hoisting the national championship trophy at the end of the season for the second straight year.