ESPN analyst trashes Ohio State, implies no B1G team is deserving of CFP spot
When ESPN analyst Rex Ryan has an opinion, he’s going to share it. On Monday, Ryan was adamant that not a single one of the Big Ten’s elite teams deserved recognition in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Despite no signature wins and a home loss against LSU, where at one point they were down by 20, Ryan says Alabama should remain in the Top 4.
“100 percent Alabama should be in it,” Ryan said on ESPN’s Get Up on Monday morning. “LSU, Clemson and Alabama are the three best teams. Don’t ever put Penn State ahead of Clemson, for the love of God. And the guys from Minnesota, row your boat down there to Clemson and get beat by 40. Stop it already.
“Put Ohio State in there and they’ll get beat by 37 like they did last time they played Clemson. The three best teams, let’s not ruin it.”
It’s worth wondering how much college football Ryan, who was an NFL head coach for eight seasons with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, has watched this season. He hasn’t served on a college staff in 20 years and has been fully immersed in the NFL since then.
His comments appear way off base when at least discussing Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are 9-0 and own an average margin of victory of more than six touchdowns (and six extra points). Furthermore, Ohio State is ranked first in ESPN’s Football Power Index and possess the second-highest strength of record in the country.
By both the eye test and resume, Ohio State deserves to be in the discussion as the top team in the nation, let alone in the top 4.
Although they are largely irrelevant, it’ll be interesting to see if the Buckeyes catch wind of Ryan’s comments. The poll that matters — the College Football Playoff rankings — will have a new release Tuesday night.