Power Rankings

Buckeyes' shortcomings create dilemma in pecking order

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Maurice Hall hasn't been able to provide the ground-game punch that the Buckeyes need. David Maxwell/Getty Images

What to do with the Buckeyes?

It's an interesting dilemma, one that clearly baffled AP voters, who this week took the virtually unprecedented step of dropping a team three spots in two weeks without it losing a game.

Ohio State's supporters, always eager to harp on any perceived lack of respect, are beside themselves that even after a national championship and 17 consecutive victories they're still being held responsible for style points. But make no bones about it, what happened against San Diego State and N.C. State is a far different situation than Purdue or Illinois a year ago.

The assumption coming into the season was that OSU might lose a step on defense but would be more explosive on offense. Well, the defense hasn't missed a beat, but the offense isn't any more explosive, and in fact it's taken a couple steps back.

Sure, they didn't score a lot of points last year, but those Buckeyes played mistake-free, ground-control football. This year, however, they can't run the ball at all and they shoot themselves in the foot with miscues, like the ones that enabled N.C. State to rally from a 24-7 deficit. Last year they hung close, then put opponents away at the end. This year, they get a lead and hang on for dear life. It's not nearly as endearing.

Finally, you can't convince me that the situation with No. 13 isn't hurting them. Not just production-wise, but mentally. Is it any coincidence that their swagger on offense was there in the Washington game, when they were under the assumption he'd be back in a few games, but dissipated once it became clear he's never coming back?

To make a long story short, Ohio State remains a top three team in this poll, but, like most people, I see trouble ahead. You can't depend on catching the breaks forever.

Just ask Notre Dame.

NCAA Football Power Rankings Rank LW   Team 1 1 Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) For the second time in three weeks, the Sooners' opponent, Fresno State, accumulated more penalty yardage (80) than offense (43) in the first half, during which OU earned 370 yards, 22 first downs and a 38-0 lead. Now that's something. Next game: Saturday vs. UCLA. 2 6 Michigan Wolverines (3-0) These are supposed to be power rankings, and no team in the country has looked more powerful through three games than the Wolverines. Can they keep it up? We'll find out this week in what has all the elements of a potential letdown. Next game: Saturday at Oregon. 3 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) Here's one possible explanation. You know that SI cover jinx? Well, Craig Krenzel has been on the cover three times since January. How else to explain how a guy goes from so steady against Washington to throwing picks left and right. Next game: Saturday vs. Bowling Green. 4 3 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) Remember the last time Miami visited Boston College? Ed Reed saved the day. This will also be our first chance to see the reaction when the 'Canes visit one of their soon-to-be ex-ACC brethren. Just how nasty can a B.C. crowd get? Next game: Saturday at Boston College. 5 4 USC Trojans (3-0) An encouraging sign for the Trojans: For the first time in three games, they ran the ball effectively. LenDale White, Reggie Bush and Hershel Dennis carried a combined 28 times for 164 yards in a 61-32 victory over Hawaii, USC's 11th straight. Next game: Sept. 27 at Cal. 6 5 Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) You think Ohio State's poll tumble is mysterious? The Hokies have dropped three spots in this one without doing a thing wrong. Sorry, guys. Blame USC, Miami and Michigan. And make your own nationally televised statement this week. Next game: Thursday vs. Texas A&M. 7 10 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) Here's a little secret for you: This year's Dawgs may actually be better than last year's 13-1 team. Playing without his top running back or receiver, David Greene still torched South Carolina, while Georgia's fast, aggressive defense toyed with the Gamecocks. Next game: Saturday at LSU. 8 8 Kansas State Wildcats (4-0) Here's what we can take away from the Wildcats' 38-7 win over UMass: Next game: Saturday vs. Marshall. 9 9 Florida State Seminoles (3-0) Which will be the lasting impression of Chris Rix from the Georgia Tech game -- misfiring on 14 of his first 21 passes or going 7-for-8 for 94 yards on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives? Probably depends on what he does from here. Next game: Saturday vs. Colorado. 10 11 Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) When did Rod Rutherford turn into such a stud quarterback? All the guy's done so far is complete 64 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and no interceptions, good enough to lead the country in pass efficiency. Next game: Saturday at Toledo 11 12 LSU Tigers (3-0) Georgia's David Greene may be the marquee quarterback in Saturday's showdown, but LSU's Matt Mauck has had a nearly identical season thus far: 65 percent completions, eight touchdowns and only one interception. Next game: Saturday vs. Georgia. 12 13 Tennessee Volunteers (2-0) It's that time of year again. Time to find out if the Vols are contenders or pretenders. Time to find out if they can avoid tripping over their own psyche -- not to mention fumbling the QB-center exchange -- and beat Florida. Next game: Saturday at Florida. 13 -- Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0) Houston Nutt has won 41 of his 64 ames at Arkansas, but none of them was any bigger than Saturday's over Texas. QB Matt Jones, whose potential has always been evident, was a one-man wrecking crew on offense. Next game: Saturday vs. North Texas. 14 -- Florida Gators (2-1) While the rest of us squabble over his quarterback situation, Ron Zook has quietly assembled quite a backfield. Freshman DeShawn Wynn accounted for 131 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-3 rout of Florida A&M. Next game: Saturday vs. Tennessee. 15 7 Texas Longhorns (1-1) By going ahead and laying their egg in September rather than waiting until Oct. 11, the Horns actually have a chance to sneak up on Oklahoma for once. To do that, though, they'll need to figure out why they can't run the ball. Next game: Saturday at Rice. 16 -- Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0) Would you look at that, the Hawkeyes are at it again. Most expected a drop-off after losing Brad Banks, Dallas Clark and Co., but this year's crew is running it down peoples' throats, to the tune of 231 rushing yards per game. Next game: Saturday vs. Arizona State.

Dropped out: Wisconsin, N.C. State, Colorado.

Stewart Mandel updates his Power Rankings every Monday during the season. They also serve as his ballot in the Football Writers Association/Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll, which resumes Oct. 13.