AP Top 25 poll: Where is Ohio State football on Nathan Baird’s ballot?

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks to throw during warmups before playing Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) evades a tackle by Indiana defensive back Devon Matthews (1) in the first half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana running back Davion Ervin-Poindexter (22) is tackled by Ohio State linebacker Teradja Mitchell, lower right in the first quarter in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert (88) is tackled by Indiana defensive back Noah Pierre (21) during the first quarter in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana quarterback Donaven McCulley (0) runs with the ball while playing Ohio State during the first quarter in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State running back Miyan Williams (28) scores a touchdown in front of Indiana defensive back Devon Matthews (1) during the first quarter in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle drops back to pass against Ohio State during the first quarter in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown in front of Indiana defensive back Raheem Layne II (0) in the first quarter in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle (14) throws during warmups before playing Ohio State in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) flips the ball after scoring a touchdown against Indiana in the first half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert (88) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Nicholas Petit-Frere (78) in the first half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert (88) is tackled by Indiana defensive back Devon Matthews (1) in the first half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle (14) lies on the ground after being tackled while playing Ohio State in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana head coach Tom Allen, right, talks with the officials while his team plays Ohio State in the second half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert (88) is tackled by Indiana defensive back Devon Matthews (1) in the first half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana running back Stephen Carr (5) is tackled by Ohio State defenders Tommy Eichenberg (35) and Lathan Ransom (12) in the second half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) battles for the ball with Indiana defensive back Devon Matthews (1) in the second half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Indiana quarterback Donaven McCulley (0) throws while playing Ohio State in the second half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (12) comes up short of catching a pass under the defense of Indiana defensive back Josh Sanguinetti (19) in the second half in Bloomington, Ind., Oct. 23, 2021.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football keeps forcing me to compare what I think against what I can prove.

I think the Buckeyes might be on a collision course with Georgia in the national championship game. I think the team that lost to Oregon bears little resemblance to the one laying waste to the bottom of the Big Ten right now. I think OSU is also trending up, and has not yet played its best football.

I know, however, that OSU lost at home to an Oregon team missing Kayvon Thibodeaux. I know its six victories came against teams with a combined record of 19-24 — propped up by Akron’s win over Bryant, Maryland’s win over Howard and Rutgers’ win over Delaware.

Style points matter in a power ranking. If someone told me they had Ohio State No. 2 in such a ranking behind Georgia, I would listen to that argument. This offense is blasting people off the field right now and even in the black-and-blue Big Ten it’s hard to envision anyone interrupting that.

But when determining where to break the logjam behind Georgia on my AP ballot, here was my thinking:

• Cincinnati is undefeated and has a win at ranked Notre Dame. The various computer analyses believe the Bearcats’ overall performance is strong, as well.

• Oklahoma’s undefeated resume is shaky, and I have to decide how much credit the Sooners get for a neutral field win at Texas. My least favorite team to try to place on the ballot right now.

• Alabama lost on the road to a good Texas A&M team, but has a strong performance baseline and a home win over very good Ole Miss.

• Oregon and Ohio State each have one loss. Oregon’s performance has been more uneven. Ohio State’s loss is to Oregon.

• Michigan is undefeated too, but with arguably fewer wins of note than OSU.

I keep thinking the next Sunday will be the one where I pull the trigger and put OSU ahead of the Ducks on my ballot. Perhaps that will be next week.

NATHAN BAIRD’S WEEK 9 AP TOP 25 BALLOT

1-Georgia (7-0)

2-Cincinnati (7-0)

3-Oklahoma (8-0)

4-Alabama (7-1)

5-Oregon (6-1)

6-Ohio State (6-1)

7-Michigan (7-0)

8-Ole Miss (6-1)

9-Iowa (6-1)

10-Michigan State (7-0)

11-Baylor (6-1)

12-Iowa State (5-2)

13-Oklahoma State (6-1)

14-Auburn (5-2)

15-Texas A&M (6-2)

16-Kentucky (6-1)

17-Notre Dame (6-1)

18-SMU (7-0)

19-Wake Forest (7-0)

20-San Diego State (7-0)

21-Pittsburgh (6-1)

22-UTSA (8-0)

23-Penn State (5-2)

24-Arkansas (5-3)

25-Texas (4-3)

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