Why are the Ohio State Buckeyes ranked behind Penn State in Week 8 AP Poll rankings?

The Ohio State Buckeyes suffered their first loss of the 2024 college football season in Week 7 as they fell to 5-1 following a 32-31 loss to the Oregon Ducks.

The thrilling matchup between the Big Ten opponents, who were both ranked in the top-three of the AP Top 25 Poll entering the game, came down to the wire and is an early contender for Game of the Year.

While the Buckeyes entered the matchup ranked second in the nation, they fell two spots in the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll.

3 reasons why Ohio State Buckeyes got ranked behind Penn State

#1: The Ohio State Buckeyes suffered a loss

The Ohio State Buckeyes entered the season ranked second in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll. While they slipped to third in the rankings despite blowing out each of their first five opponents, they suffered a loss that led to their slide in the rankings.

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Although the loss came by just one point on the road against a top-three opponent, it is no surprise the Buckeyes slipped from their previous spot. Meanwhile, the Penn State Nittany Lions entered the season ranked eighth and continue to win.

#2: Penn State have beaten better opponents

In addition to being undefeated at the halfway point of their schedule, the Penn State Nittany Lions have done something else that the Ohio State Buckeyes have not this season.

They defeated a ranked opponent in Week 5 when they met the then No. 19-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini (21-7). The win has also aged well, as it remains the only loss for the Fighting Illini.

#3: Buckeyes always had a better record against the Lions

The Penn State Nittany Lions have been a very good program; however, they have been unable to reach the College Football Playoff. They were unable to get past the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State has won the last seven meetings and a total of 11 from the past 12 meetings between the two programs.

The lone outlier came in 2016 and required a miraculous comeback and an improbable blocked field goal return touchdown. While Penn State has been ranked as high as eighth every year since 2016, their true test will come when the Buckeyes come to town in Week 10.