Ohio State named AP’s No. 1 college football program all-time

While Michigan fans rallied around getting a basketball player on their football jerseys Tuesday, Buckeye faithful had a bit more to be excited about.

In the first ever Associated Press all-time Top 25, the Ohio State Buckeyes came out number one. The AP tabulated more than 1,100 weekly polls from over 80 years. The end result is based on total poll appearances, the number of times ranked No. 1 and AP national championships.

Joining the Buckeyes in the Top 5 are their opponents this fall, Oklahoma, at No. 2, Notre Dame at three, defending national champions Alabama at No. 4, and USC at No. 5. Michigan checked in 7th with Penn State 12th, Michigan State 19th, Wisconsin 24th, and Iowa 25th.

Now known as The AP Top 25, the power rankings originated with 20 teams, then was reduced to 10 teams from 1961 to 1967. The poll expanded back to 20 then later grew again to the 25 teams we’re accustomed to prior to the 1989 season.

Though no longer part of the formula that determines College Football’s primarily recognized national champion, the AP poll still awards its own national championship trophy as its done since the 30s. A panel of 61 voters make up the current Top 25 participants with 2016’s inaugural poll set to be released Sunday, Aug. 21.