COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football has been a popular No. 2 team on early Top 25 lists for the 2020 season. ESPN’s initial SP+ ratings also put the Buckeyes No. 2 — but not behind No. 1 Clemson. Alabama has the top spot with an overall SP+ score of 30.9. Ohio State is next at 29.7, followed by Clemson (27.0), Georgia (25.8) and Penn State (23.8). ESPN’s Bill Connelly based the predictions on three factors, weighted for which ones are more predictable: returning production, recruiting rankings and recent history. In a breakdown Connelly released on Feb. 6, Ohio State ranked only 93rd among all teams in returning production. He weighted those rankings based on which positions have shown to be more affected by turnover. The graduation of three veteran receivers influenced the offense’s No. 66 ranking. The departure of three starting defensive backs pulled the defense down to No.…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football No. 2 in ESPN’s preseason SP+ rankings, but not behind Clemson: Buckeye Breakfast
