College Football Playoff Selection Committee Chairman Mack Rhoades Says Ohio State's Defense Separated It From Indiana, Texas A&M

Ohio State has claimed the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, primarily due to its dominant defense, which ranks first nationally in both scoring and total defense. The Buckeyes allow just 6.9 points and 214.8 yards per game, outpacing competitors such as San Diego State and Iowa in these categories. The selection committee, led by chairman Mack Rhoades, cited defense as the key differentiator between Ohio State and other top teams like Indiana and Texas A&M. All three teams remain undefeated, but Ohio State's defensive prowess set it apart from Texas A&M, which ranks 60th in scoring defense and 31st in total defense.

Quality wins also played a role in the rankings, with Ohio State securing victories against No. 11 Texas and No. 23 Washington, while Indiana defeated No. 9 Oregon and No. 20 Iowa. Despite the rankings, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day remains focused on the end of the season, emphasizing that