As everyone knows by now, a premier criticism of the 2018 Buckeyes is their “inconsistency.”
No doubt, they laid a big egg at Purdue. However, if you look at their close games (as defined by games played within a 10-point margin), Ohio State isn't nearly as inconsistent as Oklahoma or Notre Dame.
In fact, it may comes as a surprise to many folks that they’re about half as inconsistent as the Sooners or the Irish! Nonetheless, the Buckeyes seem to be held to a different standard, since they have faced relentless criticism for their inconsistency while OU and ND have gotten a big pass despite being….
Well, consistently more inconsistent. Consider….
If Ohio State wins by more than 10 points against Northwestern on Saturday, then the Buckeyes will have one loss plus 3 games played within a 10 point margin of victory. Also, duly note that 3 out of 4 (75%) those four games were road games (all except for Nebraska).
Meanwhile, if Oklahoma wins by less than 5 points against Texas on Saturday, then the Sooners will have 1 loss plus another 6 games (!!!) played within a 10-point range. Actually, 3 of those games were within a field goal and one went to OT.
Also, duly note that half (50%) of their five close games have been at home.
As for Notre Dame, the Irish may be undefeated, but it has played six games (half of its schedule!!!) within a 100point margin of victory, and a whopping 5 of those games were played at home!
Of course, ND has the advantage of not having to play in a conference championship, thereby avoiding the risk of playing 8 games within 10 points.
In any case, here’s a breakdown of the close games:
OKLAHOMA:
@ Iowa State 37-27
vs. Army 28-21 OT
Texas (Loss) 48-45
@ Tex Tech 51-46
vs. Ok St 48-47
@ WV 59-56
OHIO STATE;
@ Penn State 27-26
@ Purdue (Loss) 49-20
vs. Neb 38-31
@ Maryland 52-51
NOTRE DAME:
vs. Michigan 24-17
vs. Ball Stat 24-16
vs. Vanderbilt 22-17
vs. Pitt 42-13
vs. Northwestern 31-21
@ USC 24-17
I’d love to hear the hear the Committee reference these numbers next Sunday, that is, besides the fact that big wins ought to count more than big losses.
Meanwhile, I'd love to hear the thoughts of anybody here, as well as any comparisons you might bring to the table if you served on the CFP Committee.
Oh, and by all means, feel free to send any ammunition to Gene Smith, who may be excused from the Committee room if/when Ohio State is discussed on Saturday night through Sunday morning, but that doesn't mean he can't leave behind a few notes on the table.
