For a story in today's Blade, I asked more than a dozen AP voters with Ohio State fourth or higher on their latest ballot if they could envision voting OSU champion if it was the only unbeaten team after the bowls are played. Here are some more -- and expanded -- responses:
"Right now, I don't see any way I could vote Ohio State No. 1. A team that survives a conference championship game (potentially) and a bowl game would be more deserving, even with one loss." -- Austin Meek, Topeka Capital-Journal
"No, I don't really see how you could vote them No. 1 without having to clear a January hurdle. I suppose it's theoretically possible, if everyone (including the entire SEC) lost twice ... and perhaps they could get to No. 1 before the bowls. But practically speaking, someone is going to win the BCS bowls, someone is going to win the championship game, and those teams will have a better claim on the final ballot than someone who didn't participate. Especially since their absence is their own fault. Probation shouldn't be a strategic advantage." -- Phil Miller, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
"I can’t really envision a scenario in which I would vote an unbeaten Ohio State over a one-loss team that wins the BCS title game. If the Buckeyes’ schedule was more difficult perhaps I could entertain that outcome, but there would have to be a rash of late-season losses by top-ranked teams for me to think of putting Ohio State at the No. 1 slot." -- Chris Murray, Reno Gazette-Journal
"I couldn't have envisioned Alabama losing at home or Kansas State being involved in national championship discussion, so I couldn't rule out considering Ohio State as No. 1 on my final ballot. So, short answer is yes. We're told when the voting begins to not let probation be a factor in our judgment, so that doesn't concern me. On the other hand, body of work needs to be considered more in the last month of voting than that specific weekend's results, and the schedule would work against Ohio State there and perhaps let a one-loss team slide in ahead." -- Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times
"I have been confounded by the Buckeyes all season and have tried several weeks in a row now to avoid moving them up when teams ahead of them have lost. But each time, including this week with Alabama, I have ended up sliding them up. While I don't think they'd beat some of the teams directly behind them, I also believe that wins matter. And they just keep winning. For that reason, I'd say I CAN envision a scenario where I'd put them No. 1. Their schedule isn't so weak that it would be out of the question. But I wouldn't feel good about it, simply because they don't pass the eye test as an overall team." -- Ira Schoffel, Tallahassee Democrat
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