There are a lot of factors that work into the College Football Playoff rankings. Eye test, resumé and strength of schedule are all part of the equation. But players on the field are still a factor in those rankings, as well.

On Tuesday, Ohio State dropped a spot in the College Football Playoff to No. 2, getting jumped by No. 1 LSU. The Tigers’ win over No. 3 Alabama was enough to leap ahead of the Buckeyes in the latest standings.

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Last Saturday, Ohio State registered a 73-14 over Maryland even without Chase Young on the field, suspended by the NCAA. After the rankings were released, College Football Playoff committee chair Rob Mullens explains what kind of impact that might have.

“Part of the committee’s role is to make sure we’re aware of who plays in games,” Mullens said. “We don’t project, we just look at who plays in the games, so we are aware of what players are in the games.”

It’s an interesting tidbit and will be even more interesting if Young doesn’t play against Penn State and Michigan and the Buckeyes drop one of those games. Would his absence be enough to save the Buckeyes?

We probably won’t find out, but it’s an interesting anecdote to keep in mind.