Buckeyes ranked 2nd in pre-season AP poll

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Associated Press released their official preseason rankings on Monday afternoon, and the Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves sitting at No. 2 behind, who else, but Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Buckeyes are ranked 2nd in the pre-season poll for the eighth time, one behind Oklahoma for most times ranked No. 2 to start the season. It’s also their 29th consecutive year being ranked in the pre-season top-25. Penn State holds that record with 34 consecutive years.

The Big Ten has three teams in the top-10, with Penn State at No. 6 and Wisconsin at No. 9. Michigan comes in just outside at No. 11. The full top-25 rankings are below.

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Florida State
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. Penn State
7. Oklahoma
8. Washington
9. Wisconsin
10. Oklahoma State
11. Michigan
12. Auburn
13. LSU
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Louisville
17. Florida
18. Miami
19. South Florida
20. Kansas Sate
21. Virginia Tech
22. West Virginia
23. Texas
24. Washingon State
25. Tennessee