CINCINNATI — Voters heading to the polls in Ohio will notice another “Issue 1” on their ballot this general election — this time, the measure is a redistricting proposal that could drastically change the balance of power within the statehouse.

The goal of Issue 1 is to end gerrymandering, which is manipulating district lines to favor one political party.

“We have some of the most biased maps in the country, not just at the congressional level but the State House and the State Senate,” said Dr. David Niven, a political science professor at the University of Cincinnati.

Niven was asked by the League of Women Voters Ohio to look over the state’s districting maps and see if the issue of gerrymandering had been fixed by Ohio’s last redistricting reform.

“My answer from my review of the districts is decidedly no, we didn’t fix the problem,” Niven said. “We changed some of the problems but the fundamentals are still the same.”

The League of Women Voters Ohio is working to campaign in favor of Issue 1, stating that the current districting maps hurt all voters.

“What we see are these weird districts that make it difficult for Ohio voters to be heard and represented,” said Jen Miller, executive director for the League of Women Voters Ohio.

One of those “weird” districts Miller refers to is the 1st Congressional District right here in Cincinnati.

Miller says those who created the map grouped the City of Cincinnati with Warren County, creating a “land bridge” since the two don’t connect. But she says the shape is not the biggest issue.

“The biggest concern would be the profound differences between residents of Warren County and Cincinnati,” Miller said.

She added the two areas have drastic financial differences, homeownership numbers and more, often causing one of the two to be disappointed by their political leaders.

However, many GOP lawmakers disagree, saying the current maps work.

“The three main things are to make sure you have one person, one vote, you have communities together, and you keep compactness, and you can only split communities one time,” said Republican state Rep. Adam Mathews (District 56).

Taylor Mirfendereski | WCPO

Mathews argues that if Issue One passes, it will gerrymander district maps.

“It will push both regional and political polarization, all for the benefit of adding two democratic congressional seats,” Mathews said.

He and others who oppose Issue 1 add that only new Democrats who are voted in will benefit from it, and if they truly wanted “unbiased maps” then they would only change who draws them.

The No. 3 Oregon Ducks, No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions have made Big Ten history ahead of a monstrous weekend in the conference.

The Big Ten revealed Sunday that this week marks the first time in the conference’s history that three teams have been ranked in the top four of the AP Poll’s top 25. Of course, the matchup on Saturday at Autzen Stadium between Ohio State and Oregon is arguably the most-anticipated game of the regular season in college football while Penn State will visit the USC Trojans in what fixes to be another huge battle.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day notes the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff implications that this game holds.

“I think it’s great because you get to control your own destiny because you’re playing the best teams in the league on our schedule,” said Day. “So, that part’s great. Every time you’re playing one of these teams, your fighting for the opportunity to go to Indianapolis, and that’s important. So, there’s that part of it, and obviously the playoff scenario. So, a lot at stake this weekend which is exactly what we wanted.”

The hype has been building for Oregon vs. Ohio State for the entire offseason. Now, the two teams have an elite ranking beside their name to justify the excitement. It’s clear players and coaches from both sides recognize the hype.

Aside from the current significance of Saturday’s game, there’s some major history worth remembering ahead of kickoff.

Prior to Oregon’s 35-28 win over Ohio State in Columbus during the 2021 season, the Ducks were 0-9 against the Buckeyes all-time, which included a loss in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship Game to end the 2014 campaign. Prior to that, the Ducks came up short to Ohio State on the west coast in a 26-17 loss at the 2010 Rose Bowl. After some memorable games on neutral fields and six total meetings in Columbus, Saturday’s matchup will mark just the second time the two teams have played in Eugene.

If the Ducks can pull off the win, it would mark Oregon’s highest-ranked victory ever at Autzen Stadium and fourth overall vs. an opponent ranked in the top-five of the AP Poll. It would also be Oregon’s ninth win ever against a top-five team.

Similar to how the Georgia-Alabama game played out, the winner of Oregon-Ohio State could potentially jump past Texas to No. 1 in the AP Poll even if the Longhorns handle business against No. 18 Oklahoma at the Red River Rivalry in Dallas on Saturday. The impact that a top-three win presents could be enough for voters to give either Ohio State or Oregon the nod as the best team in the land headed into Week 8.

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MORE: Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State: ESPN College GameDay Visiting Eugene

MORE: Everything Michigan State Coach Jonathan Smith Said About Oregon 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

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