TUSCALOOSA, AL — Ohio State Buckeyes left no doubt who deserved the nation’s top ranking, rolling past the Alabama Crimson Tide 48-24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Heisman candidate Tavien St. Clair was the catalyst, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns while adding two more scores on quarterback keepers. Junior wide receiver Bo Jackson caught two of st. clair’s touchdown passes as Ohio State’s offense repeatedly exposed Alabama’s defense.

The Crimson Tide received a solid statistical performance from junior quarterback Cole Welliver, who threw for 339 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his first marquee matchup since replacing All-American Darian Mensah. But Alabama’s defense had no answers for the Buckeyes, and seven penalties for 70 yards only compounded the Tide’s problems.

The convincing road victory lifted Ohio State to the No. 1 ranking, while Alabama fell nine spots to No. 12.