COLUMBUS – Ohio State held onto the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, despite a few tense moments at Rutgers last Saturday, with Georgia, Michigan and Florida State rounding out the top four.
(No. 1 CFP) Ohio State (9-0, 6-0) vs. Michigan State (3-6, 1-5); Ohio Stadium
Saturday, Nov. 11 (7:30 p.m./NBC)
Head coach Ryan Day brushes the ranking off as just so much “noise” – to be ignored – along with that investigation into alleged improper scouting by arch-rival Michigan.
“That’s noise and there’s a lot of other noise out there. And so we we have to get rid of all that stuff, and the team that can get rid of the distractions and the noise and ignore the noise the most this time of year gives them their best chance to play their best football,” he told reporters Tuesday at his weekly press conference.
“Right now all all you can do is focus on what’s what’s important. And what’s important right now is, is Michigan State.”
Under NCAA investigation for impermissible scouting, Michigan is preparing to take possible legal action if the Big Ten punishes the football program before the investigation is complete.
The allegations of impermissible scouting and sign-stealing surround a low-level staffer.
Michigan has been given notification of potential disciplinary action from the conference. The Big Ten gave the school until this week to respond.
Ohio State was trailing at halftime at Rutgers, before pulling away, and that was enough to keep the Buckeyes atop the rankings.
“They continue to play well,” said committee chairman Boo Corrigan, who is North Carolina State’s athletic director. “Really physical team. (Running back) TreVeyon Henderson being back, going for over 100 yards the last two two games helps them overall, with their top five defense as well.”
The CFP semifinals will be played in the Rose and Sugar bowls on Jan. 1.
The national championship game is scheduled for Jan. 8 in Houston.