Ohio State opens at No. 12 in CFP rankings after loss to USC

Ohio State debuted at No. 12 in the College Football Playoff committee’s 2026 rankings, leaving the 6-2 Buckeyes just outside the 12-team field, with an automatic berth reserved for the highest-ranked Group of Five champion. The ranking followed a 30-18 loss at USC; Ohio State also lost to Texas, though its wins include ranked Iowa and Indiana. Some commentary criticized the committee for placing Indiana well above Ohio State despite the Buckeyes’ head-to-head win, while other rankings and computer metrics rate Ohio State more highly. The Buckeyes have four regular-season games left, beginning with Oregon, and a strong finish could improve their playoff position; another loss would make their path considerably more difficult.