Novig pricesOhio State tumbles and USC climbs as Week 10 rankings reshape the Big Ten race
After the loss at USC, Ohio State fell as low as 13th in Week 10 rankings. USC climbed and Indiana held steady, with Oregon and UCLA up next.
The 30-18 loss at USC has cost Ohio State its place near the top of the national rankings. In ClutchPoints' Week 10 power rankings, the Buckeyes fell 11 spots, from No. 2 to No. 13, the biggest drop on the board. The polls also moved them down but were less harsh. CBS Sports reported an eight-spot slide to No. 10 in the Coaches Poll, and Bleacher Report has them 11th in the AP Top 25.
ClutchPoints dropped them that far because of how they lost, not just because it was a second loss. Freshman Luke Fahey started with Julian Sayin injured and threw for 160 yards. Ohio State did not reach the end zone until a fourth-quarter catch by Jeremiah Smith. CBS Sports argued the defense deserved more of the blame for allowing 30 points. Both outlets say the Buckeyes, now 6-2, are still in the College Football Playoff race.
USC was the big winner. The Trojans re-entered ClutchPoints' top 25 at No. 20 and jumped eight spots to No. 17 in the Coaches Poll. They are 7-2, with a win at Penn State to go with the upset of Ohio State. Indiana rose to No. 5 with ClutchPoints and No. 3 with the coaches after a 23-16 overtime win over Minnesota. In that game the teams traded 60-yard field goals late in regulation, which CBS Sports called a first in FBS history. AP voters were less impressed and moved the Hoosiers out of the top five. Indiana is 8-1, but it has averaged only 17.8 points over its last four games, according to CBS Sports. The Hoosiers are off this week before hosting USC on November 14.
What it means for Saturday
Ohio State gets no easy way back. Oregon comes to Columbus on CBS this Saturday. The Ducks beat USC 41-27 earlier this season and came from behind to win 34-26 at Northwestern last week. The Buckeyes are still favored on this site's board. Novig lists Ohio State at -245 and Oregon at +233, and the best Oregon price among the 12 venues is +250 at Hard Rock Bet. Novig has the spread at Ohio State -7.5 at even money, while DraftKings is at -7. The total is 48.5 at Novig. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline runs from 4.0% to 5.6%.
Minnesota (5-3) hosts UCLA (8-0) on Fox. UCLA is No. 4 in ClutchPoints' rankings and unbeaten in Bob Chesney's first season. Minnesota got 10 points in the Coaches Poll, and the Gophers' last two games were close: a three-point win over Iowa and an overtime loss in Bloomington. But Minnesota has scored 13 points in three of its last four games, so its offense will need more against a UCLA defense that forced four turnovers in a 27-0 shutout of Nevada. On the board, UCLA is favored at -212 on Novig, and Minnesota is +199 there and +200 at theScore Bet. Novig has the spread at 6.5 and the total at 39.5, which reflects how little scoring Minnesota's games have had lately. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline ranges from 3.9% to 6.6%, though the best prices across venues are no more than a point apart.
The first College Football Playoff rankings come out Tuesday. After that, the Buckeyes' loss will be judged by the selection committee, not the polls.