Where did the Ohio State Buckeyes come in ranked in the new AP Poll?
The Ohio State Buckeyes earned one of the more impressive victories of the weekend, taking down the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road.
Ohio State took down the Hawkeyes 31-14, silencing any doubters entering this game around the team. Playing in Kinnick Stadium is never easy, but the Buckeyes were able to quiet the crowd and take advantage.
This game could help bring the momentum for the Buckeyes, and it was a performance that will make head coach Ryan Day very happy. But Ohio State understands that there is still a long way to go in the season, and that beating Iowa is just a stepping stone to where they want to be.
After the win over Iowa, the Buckeyes now come in ranked at No. 5 in the new AP Poll this week. Ohio State still sits behind the Texas Longhorns, Georgia Bulldogs, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Miami Hurricanes.
Despite the Buckeyes having a loss on their record, the rankings still see them as a top team. And the only loss for the season did come to the No. 1 team in the country at the last second on the road.
The Buckeyes played a complete game against the Hawkeyes, with the offense stealing the show. Ohio State generated 484 yards of total offense in this game, going against a normally solid Iowa defense.
Much of this came from the passing game, with star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith setting multiple records in this contest. Smith finished the game by catching 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Buckeyes get the win.
But the star also set records for the most yards and touchdowns in Ohio State program history, showing true dominance over his first few years with the team. This isn't easy to do for anyone, but especially at Ohio State, where they have considered themselves "Wide Receiver U" over the years.
Smith's performance now has him squarely seen as the frontrunner to win the Heisman Trophy this season. If he is able to continue playing in this manner, the award would likely be his to lose.
Ohio State has made it a point to feature him in the offense all season long, and Smith has taken this and run with it. The Buckeyes are extremely tough to take down with Smith playing at this level, and the team is confident moving forward.
Next up for this team is a battle against Maryland next weekend.
