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Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State puts No. 1 on the line against (mighty?) Ducks

Published

1 year ago

October 8, 2024

Press Room

Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State puts No. 1 on the line against (mighty?) Ducks

To paraphrase the late, great Casey Stengel, can’t anybody in the Big Ten play this game?

We know Ohio State can. And Oregon. And Penn State. But after that?

USC? Nope. Michigan? Nope. We thought Rutgers might be able to. But nope. That leaves Indiana (maybe?) and possibly Nebraska. But only possibly. It was a rough week for the pretenders.

As for contenders, the Buckeyes and Ducks duke it out this week in Eugene. Pass the popcorn.

1. Ohio State (5-0)

Last week: 1

This week: at Oregon

What to know: After watching what happened last week at Upset Central, the Buckeyes should be glad they’re playing a top dog instead of a feisty underdog.

2. Penn State (5-0)

Last week: 2

This week: at USC

What to know: Is it just us or are the Nittany Lions flying under the national radar? Regardless, they’re about to knock USC completely off the national map.

3. Oregon (5-0)

Last week: 3.

This week: vs. Ohio State

What to know: We know Oregonians excel at hugging trees, but can they wrap their arms around Buckeyes tailbacks and receivers often enough to at least save the day, if not the planet?.

4. Indiana (6-0)

Last week: 8

This week: idle

What to know: The Hoosiers need the week off to recover from pinching themselves. They can’t believe they join Miami as the only two 6-0 teams in Power 4.

5. Illinois (4-1)

Last week: 9

This week: vs. Purdue

What to know: The Illini have found the secret sauce to spicing up their offense. It’s called Purdue

6. Nebraska (5-1)

Last week: 10

This week: idle

What to know: The Cornhuskers get a week off to prepare for that Big Ten juggernaut: Indiana. .

7. Rutgers (4-1)

Last week: 6

This week: vs. Wisconsin

What to know: Another week, another test for the Scarlet Knights, who failed the grade against Nebraska last week. They’ll need a cheat code for the Badgers.

8. Iowa (3-2)

Last week: 7

This week: vs. Washington

What to know: Iowa tailback Kaleb Johnson still ranks No. 2 nationally in rushing yards (771) but Ohio State held him to 86 yards. Luckily for the Hawkeyes, UDub is not OSU.

9. Washington (4-2)

Last week: 12

This week: at Iowa

What to know: The Huskies have not visited Iowa City since the Beatles first invaded America. Coincidentally, they’ll need “Help!” beating the Hawkeyes.

10. Michigan (4-2)

Last week: 5

This week: idle

What to know: When you throw the ball like Christian Dior – the Wolverines rank fifth from the bottom in FCS in passing yards per game (115) – you need to run the ball like Christian McCaffrey. And UM doesn’t.

11. Minnesota (3-3)

Last week: 14

This week: at UCLA

What to know: After having just knocked off L.A.’s other college team, the Golden Gophers go for the Hollywood sweep.

12. USC (3-2)

Last week: 4.

This week: vs. Penn State

What to know: A few years ago, reports had PSU coach James Franklin eying the Trojans’ job. Maybe Troy should have eyed him back?

13. Wisconsin (3-2)

Last week: 13

This week: at Rutgers

What to know: Fun-loving Cheeseheads fans get to party in the shadow of the Big Apple. The Badgers, meanwhile, get the Sopranos treatment in New Jersey.

14. Michigan State (3-3)

Last week: 11

This week: idle

What to know: Sparty is that team that looks so close to being good but really is so far from it.

15. Maryland (3-2)

Last week: 15

This week: vs. Northwestern (Friday)

What to know: The Terrapins need to get their heads out of their, er, shells, if they expect to become bowl eligible.

16. Northwestern (2-3)

Last week: 16

This week: at Maryland (Friday)

What to know: It’s been a tough go for Chicago teams, but chin up, Wildcats, you can’t be as awful as the White Sox..

17. UCLA (1-4)

Last week: 17

This week: vs. Minnesota

What to know: When the Bruins sit down for dinner, they give thanks they’re not Purdue.

18. Purdue (1-4)

Last week: 18

This week: at Illinois

What to know: Mama taught us if you don’t have anything nice to say … so we’re keeping our mouth shut on this one.

roller@dispatch.com

@rollerCD

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Remains of Ohio airmen killed in Iraq will be brought back March 29

Published

17 minutes ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Remains of Ohio airmen killed in Iraq will be brought back March 29

The remains of three Ohio airmen who were killed in the crash of their KC-135 refueling plane in Iraq earlier this month will be returned this weekend, according to a family member of one of the deceased.

The airmen, identified as Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, and Capt. Seth Koval, 38, of Stoutsville, will be brought back March 29 to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus, said Charles Simmons, Tyler’s father.

“Tyler will have a hero’s welcome, because he is a hero,” said Charles.

The Columbus Division of Police will be involved in the funeral procession when the airmen’s remains are transferred from the airport to funeral homes, said Columbus police Sgt. James Fuqua. That will take place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 29, said Fuqua.

The airmen’s remains first arrived back in the U.S. on March 18 with a dignified transfer taking place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Curtis, Angst, and Simmons were members of the 166th Air Refueling Squadron connected to the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.

The airmen, as well as three other servicemembers, died on March 12 when their KC-135 tanker crashed in western Iraq during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury in Iran. The cause of the crash, which occurred in friendly airspace, has not been publicly identified. U.S. Central Command has said the incident did not involve hostile or friendly fire, and military experts have theorized the crash may have been the result of a collision with a second KC-135 that sustained heavy damage to its tail fin but landed safely at an airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.

Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.

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Thousands head to Columbus for 23rd annual Home Improvement Show at Ohio Expo Center

Published

12 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Thousands head to Columbus for 23rd annual Home Improvement Show at Ohio Expo Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Thousands of people are expected to head to downtown Columbus for the 23rd annual Home Improvement Show this weekend.

Organizers say visitors can find ideas for everything from small interior design projects to major renovations.

The event is being held at the Ohio Expo Center and includes seminars, exhibits and demonstrations from local and national companies.

The show begins at noon Friday and runs until 6 p.m.

It continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adult tickets cost $5 at the door.

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Matt Patricia sought stability in return as Ohio State football defensive coordinator

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Matt Patricia sought stability in return as Ohio State football defensive coordinator

Matt Patricia’s contract extension earlier this offseason included a pay raise that figures to make him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football this year.

But Patricia, who will make $3.75 million in guaranteed compensation as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2026, also held an appreciation for his situation.

“Ohio State is such a special place, not only just the history, the tradition, the football program, the school, but the people here,” Patricia said. “Having a chance to have a little stability with my family, it’s hard when you have to move your family around, your kids and the new school and all that.”

Before he joined Ryan Day’s staff last year, the 51-year-old Patricia had bounced around as an assistant in the NFL for much of the decade.

He spent 2021 and 2022 in a variety of roles with the New England Patriots, then a year as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. He took off from coaching in 2024. The frequent relocation gave him perspective.

“We had an unbelievable experience settling into Columbus,” Patricia said. “Everybody’s been so nice and welcoming. It feels like home. It’s a big deal for us to be in a place where everybody’s happy. That’s really important.”

Patricia had a significant impact on the Buckeyes in his first year replacing Jim Knowles. Despite heavy roster attrition following their national championship season, he kept the defense atop the Football Bowl Subdivision. For the second straight season, no one allowed fewer points than Ohio State.

The 9.3 points per game allowed by the Buckeyes were the fewest by any defense since Alabama in 2011.

The success made Patricia a hot commodity on the coaching market, rebuilding his reputation as a sharp and creative football mind only a decade removed from his tenure as a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator for the Patriots. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant.

Patricia said he heard about opportunities in the NFL and elsewhere across the college football landscape, though none of them would pry him away from Ohio State.

“It wasn’t necessarily something where you’re looking to leave,” Patricia said, “but you do have to listen when those things come up. I’m just glad everything worked out.”

His challenge in his second season mirrors his previous one, as the Buckeyes are again managing the loss of eight starters on defense.

But unlike 2025, they have fewer returning pieces, relying on a larger class of transfers to help fill the holes on the depth chart.

“With as much coming into the program for the first time, not only are you trying to catch them up on the football scheme, but you’re also trying to catch them up on everything else,” Patricia said. “This is how we work, this is how we do things, this is the standard we’re looking for, this is how we practice, this is how we prepare, this is how we go to school. That has to be also taught. It becomes a lot, but that’s why you bring in the right guys that have the mental makeup to do all that.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.

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