The Buckeyes’ win over Oklahoma marked the first time an Urban Meyer coached Ohio State team had faced a ranked non-conference opponent. This was less a result of Meyer loading up on cupcake schools and more a consequence of scheduling opponents 10+ years in advance. California and Virginia Tech were both national powers in the 2000s, but by the time 2012 rolled around, things just weren’t the same.
Since John Cooper took over as the Ohio State coach in 1988, the Buckeyes have faced 24 non-conference opponents who were ranked in the AP poll at the time of the matchup.