By: Christopher Walsh (TuscaloosaNews.com) –
TUSCALOOSA — At first glance, the change may not be obvious.

In the annual Tuscaloosa News’ Best College Football Rankings, which attempt to measure the nation’s top programs every way imaginable, there’s no change at the top this year.

Ohio State is No. 1, followed by Southern California, just like 2008.

After them, though, things are vastly different in terms of those rising and falling.

It begins at No. 3, where Alabama has improved the most of any program since Nick Saban arrived at the Capstone. On the other end of the spectrum, Michigan has dropped to No. 5, Notre Dame is another subpar season away from being outside the top 10, and no program has fallen more than Auburn.

That’s quite a contrast from the 2007 rankings, which had the Wolverines second, the Fighting Irish fourth and the Tigers threatening to be considered among the elite programs in college football.

The rankings, in their fourth year, are comprised through an extensive formula featuring 10 categories, everything from national championships and recruiting to number of players in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Half of the categories are based on the previous year with the other half all-time, in an effort to answer the sport’s ultimate question: “Which school really has the best program in the country?” or “Who’s No. 1?”

Granted, Florida won the national championship, and Oklahoma is the new No. 1 team in the All-Time Associated Press Poll, but Ohio State’s point total was the highest yet in the rankings, primarily due to being the only program to score in all 10 categories. Although the Buckeyes didn’t place first in any specific area, they were in the top five in half of the categories, and top 10 in all but one.

Since Jim Tressel took over eight years ago, OSU has played in three national championships (winning one), enjoyed six 10-win seasons and five Big Ten titles. His teams are 83-19, with eight bowl appearances including six Bowl Championships Series games, and are 7-1 against rival Michigan (the Wolverines last won in 2003, 35-21 in Ann Arbor).

However, Ohio State’s consistency has put it on such a high level that its recent postseason struggles have caused both it and the Big Ten to be labeled “overachievers.” The Buckeyes were pounded by Florida, 41-14 in the 2006 title game, and lost the following year to LSU, 38-24.

“We won one and we lost one badly,” cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said before last season’s Fiesta Bowl against No. 3 Texas. “This would be a nice way to redeem ourselves.”

He added: “It’s a win-win situation for us. If we lose, everyone probably thinks we’re going to lose anyway. If we win, it’ll show since we’ve made some strides since our last loss.”

Of course, the Buckeys didn’t win. Ohio State’s fifth trip to Phoenix for a bowl game in seven years resulted in a 24-21 defeat. It was the Buckeyes’ third major disappointment of the season joining the narrow 13-6 loss to Penn State and the 35-3 pounding to then-No. 1 Southern California — Ohio State’s worst showing since 1994.

To some fans, not even the crushing 42-7 victory against the rival Wolverines was enough because it was expected during Rich Rodriguez’s first year at Michigan,

“Coach Jim Tressel always preaches that every yard versus Michigan is worth two yards,” running back Chris “Beanie” Wells said after the win. “It is an honor and blessing to be a part of a team that has made history. It is an unreal feeling and amazing to be a part of something so great.”

Nevertheless, behind quarterback Terrelle Pryor, OSU will again have an early test against Southern California this season, and many expect the Big Ten title to be …….
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