BuckeyeInTheBoro
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Stewart Mandel - Why Notre Dame is ranked above tOSU
Almost the entire mailbag column dedicated to Notre Dame's ranking:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/stewart_mandel/11/16/mailbag/index.html
...but this one is the best:
I think we're going to have some fun with Mr. Mandel after The Game.

Almost the entire mailbag column dedicated to Notre Dame's ranking:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/stewart_mandel/11/16/mailbag/index.html
...but this one is the best:
You have Notre Dame ahead of Ohio State in your Power Rankings? How do you justify this, especially considering Ohio State beat Michigan State, and considering that Ohio State is playing considerably better than when it barely lost to Texas (just as Notre Dame barely lost to USC).
--Mike, Baltimore
All right, I can't take it any more -- what's wrong with you Ohio State people? Honestly? Do you have nothing better to do with your time than play the "my two-loss team is better than your two-loss team" game? This is like arguing over the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
We're basically splitting hairs here, but if you want my honest opinion: Ohio State is the more talented team, but in the Buckeyes' two biggest games of the season, I watched as their offense -- at the direction of their coaches -- curled into the fetal position. In Notre Dame's biggest game of the season, Charlie Weis showed no fear whatsoever against the No. 1 team in the country. When the Irish fell behind 28-24 with 5:09 left, Quinn promptly drove them 87 yards and dove for the go-ahead touchdown. When Ohio State fell behind Texas 23-22 with 2:37 remaining, Buckeyes QB Justin Zwick promptly fumbled. Down seven to Penn State in the final minutes, Troy Smith fumbled. Now, since that Penn State game, Smith and the OSU offense have been among the most explosive in the country. Yet why do I have this sneaking suspicion Jim Tressel's sphincter will tighten considerably when the Buckeyes go to Ann Arbor this weekend?
Tell you what, OSU fans. If he proves me wrong, I promise I'll revisit my rankings. Now, please, go find yourselves some cold towels.
I think we're going to have some fun with Mr. Mandel after The Game.
