The AP Poll after Week 6 is sparking a new round of chatter. Ryan Day, as usual, is reigning at the top. You’ve got to give it to the Buckeyes for the way they’ve dominated their calendar during the beginning. But after Week 6, is their place at the top really justified? “You guys are the reigning champs. You guys have the belt. …Who’s been more dominant is a different question,” David Pollack said. There’s only one team that was all over the headlines after Week 6, and even Buckeye fans know that it wasn’t Ohio State.

Creeping in behind OSU is Miami at No. 2. Hurricanes fans want to see OSU dethroned from the spot, especially after the commanding win Miami registered over Florida State. Rivalry game? Check. Elite game from all units of the team? Check! Miami has just defeated all of its in-state rivals for this season, and the players are also seeing a lot of deserving attention come their way. David Pollack also argued for Miami being the true No. 1 in college football, instead of the reigning National Champions.

“Ohio State fans, …I’m going to tell you about some stuff that’s that that is really good about your team,” the analyst said in an October 7 episode of See Ball Get Ball. “But the number one team in the country is Miami,” he added, with zero hesitation. “Their schedule has been way harder,” Pollack noted. That is a big fact that seems to have been ignored by AP Poll voters. Miami started with a rivalry win against Notre Dame. Bethune-Cookman was a guaranteed win. But the Hurricanes established their dominance in the games that followed: USF, Florida, and FSU.

Pollack then pointed out the lacklustre schedule of Ryan Day’s Ohio State. The Buckeyes have a very easy calendar this year. So far, they are unbeaten and have a crucial win over Texas and Washington. Apart from them, OSU has defeated Grambling State, Ohio, and Minnesota. They don’t exactly make a case for stronger wins when weighed against those of Miami. Miami faces a strong test against Louisville next week, while Ohio State takes on Illinois. This is only the second time in the season that the Buckeyes will face off against a ranked team.

But it’s not just the schedule that matters here; it’s the Hurricanes themselves. They haven’t got a star like Jeremiah Smith or Caleb Downs. But the effort shown by the Miami squad has got people talking about them more. “It’s fun to watch a group that just wants to hit you upside the head with a hose,” Pollack said. “It’s fun to watch an old school team that’s built like that. They dominate the trenches on both sides. Elite playmaker in [Malachi] Toney now… Experienced QB with Carson Beck,” the analyst listed on.

That QB in particular has been the star of the show at Coral Gables. His powerful Week 6 show has pushed him to the top of Heisman odds. Malachi Toney is already deemed the best freshman this season – even better than Bryce Underwood. But at the end of the day, production is where Miami loses the battle. The fight for the top spot comes down to the nitty-gritties, and Miami has shown a few problem areas here and there. Before OSU fans could throw hands at Pollack, he made sure to give the Buckeyes their due bouquets.

David Pollack raved about OSU’s classic defense and Natty chances

“Ohio State’s been really, really good. The defense is absolutely disgusting,” the analyst noted. He meant that in an appreciative note, considering how elite the Buckeyes’ defense has been so far. It also helps that they’ve had pretty easy competition against this unit, giving it a chance to choke opponent offenses. The Buckeyes are No. 3 in the country in total defense and No. 1 in scoring defense throughout Week 6, allowing only 5 scores. And, these results are without Jim Knowles in play. The defense run by him this year got outsmarted by UCLA instead.

Ohio State has a defensive line that has been closing in on being as elite as the one from last year. And, the Matt Patricia defense has the best LB duo in the country, in Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, hauling in a total of 57 tackles so far. OSU also has a strong passing defense, despite losing Denzel Burke to injury. If Arch Manning was no match for this defense, other QBs are going to have a tough time making a breakthrough. Bryce Underwood better look out.

Ohio State has also shown its worth in holding the No. 1 position in college football. But Pollack argued that there’s a different arena for the program to rule. “You’re asking me who to put it on to win a national championship? I’ll put it on Ohio State,” he said. “But if you’re asking me who the No.1 team in the country is, it’s Miami.” Pollack added. Miami isn’t trying to clash with Ohio State, having its eyes set for the ultimate prize instead. It doesn’t have a production as elite as OSU, neither is it trying to be No. 1. But the fight from the Hurricanes sure is worth rooting for.