There won't be any appearances for Ohio State in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
The schedule will still give the Buckeyes several chances to influence it despite being excluded from the rankings, though.
American Football Coaches Association policy prevents any school under NCAA sanctions like Ohio State faces this fall from receiving votes in its poll, which likewise keeps the program from earning a BCS ranking while it serves its one-year ban from the postseason. But it will have four cracks at teams in the preseason top 25 that was released on Thursday, plus one more against a team currently* receiving votes.
* Central Florida has appealed its NCAA penalties and will remain eligible until the ruling.
A quick glance at those opponents and when the Buckeyes will square off with them:
Michigan
Preseason rank: No. 8
Date: Nov. 24
Where: Ohio Stadium
Wisconsin
Preseason rank: No. 12
Date: Nov. 17
Where: Camp Randall Stadium
Michigan State
Preseason rank: No. 13
Date: Sept. 29
Where: Spartan Stadium
Nebraska
Preseason rank: No. 16
Date: Oct. 6
Where: Ohio Stadium
Central Florida
Preseason rank: Received five votes
Date: Sept. 8
Where: Ohio Stadium