Dumpster Fires of the Week: Ohio State Bucked Out of Playoffs

A playoff favorite implodes. Les might be less employed. A bad division sets a new low. A red and yellow dumpster fire leads to a pink slip.

Let's check out the latest lowlights.

1. Ohio State Offense

Ohio State, the No. 3 team in the country for no real reason other than the Buckeyes won the national title last season, were at home against a Michigan State defense riddled by injuries that gave up 39 points to Nebraska, 24 to Rutgers and 26 to Indiana. The vaunted Buckeyes managed 14 points, seven of which came off a horrible decision to field a punt that set up Ohio State at the Michigan State 4 yard line.

Ohio State was able only to generate 132 yards of total offense and barely attempted any kind of passing game. Where’s the innovative offense that rolled up so many yards and points last year? Former Heisman finalist Ezekiel Elliott only had 12 rushing attempts and blasted the Buckeyes' offensive scheme in the postgame.

In fact, the Buckeyes' offense was so bad it may have cost offensive coordinator Tim Beck his job. Urban Meyer is talking about taking over play calling for the brawl with Michigan.

2. LSU

Les Miles might not get chance to do more with the Tigers. LSU rolled out its third bad game in a row, losing by three touchdowns to Ole Miss. The LSU defense was shredded again, and the one-dimensional offense again struggled to put up points.

Les’ buyout is though to be in the range of $15 million, but rumors are swirling in Baton Rouge of his negotiated departure.

3. SEC East

First, The Citadel beat South Carolina for the first time since I think football was invented. Then, previous top 10 team Florida needed overtime to beat Florida Atlantic – as well as for the refs to swallow their whistles in the end zone on some egregious pass interference by UF DBs. Lastly, Georgia needed OT to beat Georgia Southern.

The division just sucks. Tennessee is obviously the most talented team with the best QB of the lot, but a horribly coached fourth quarter in the Vols' matchup with Florida earlier this season means the Gators are your SEC East champs.

4. Iowa State's Second Half

It looked like the Cyclones were playing for their coach’s job and went all out in Manhattan, grabbing a 35-14 lead over Kansas State. However, KSU came roaring back to score 24 unanswered points in the second half. At 35-35 with under a minute to go and the ball in its possession, it at least looked like ISU would get to go to OT. One fumble later, KSU was kicking the game-winning field goal.

Twenty-four hours later, ISU was firing Paul Rhoads.

5. Oklahoma State Defense

When a top 10 team playing at home wins the turnover battle 3-0 – and the three turnovers end likely scoring drives for the opposition – you kind of expect to win.

Instead, OSU’s defense played an awful game, giving up 700 yards of offense, including 300 yards on the ground, to Baylor’s second- and third-string QBs. Even with the edge in turnovers, OSU still lost at home by 10 points.

Of all the terrible efforts in recent Big 12 history, this one might be the worst by a defense alleged to be pretty talented.

-Atlantasooner