COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Ohio State football ranks No. 2 in the preseason Associated Press poll, trailing only nemesis Clemson by a narrow margin. The Buckeyes received 21 first-place votes, compared to 38 for Clemson. Yet the final point differential — 1,520 to 1,504 — reflects how close the national media consensus came to calling Ohio State the preseason No. 1. That lofty ranking likely serves as bittersweet validation for Buckeye fans who believe their team is national championship caliber. The Big Ten Conference opted not to play fall sports due to the coronavirus pandemic, as did the Pac-12. The ACC, Big 12 and SEC all continue to plan to play a fall schedule. So if the college football season begins as expected, Ohio State will drop off the poll entirely after one week. The Associated Press asked pollsters — including cleveland.com’s Nathan Baird — to include all teams on their…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football No. 2 behind Clemson in preseason Associated Press poll: College rankings
