The Ohio State football team opened at No.1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season. Here is what we learned about last night’s rankings.

A lot of Buckeye fans were happy last night as the College Football Playoff Committee ranked the Ohio State football team No. 1 team in the country in the first rankings of the season.

With LSU, Alabama, Penn State and Clemson rounding out the top five, here are three things we learned from the rankings.

Ohio State was rewarded for punishing opponents

The Buckeyes won big last night. Ohio State has passed the “eye test” with flying colors. Pummeling opponents at every turn, the Buckeyes proved early in this season they are the No.1 team in the country.

Here is what Rob Mullens, CFP Committee Chairman, had to say about ranking Ohio State No.1, according to AL.com.

“(Ohio State is) highly ranked in just about every statistical category, both offensively and defensively,” Mullens said. “Again, when you watch their games, they play at a consistent high level. Again, on both sides of the ball, explosive offensive playmakers, outstanding defense, probably the best defensive player in the country at this point (in Chase Young). Very efficient. Very consistent.”

According to AL.com, Ohio State has outscored its opponents by an average margin of 48-8 while defeating every team they have played by at least 24 points.  Also working in Ohio State’s favor are blowout wins against No. 20 ranked Cincinnati and No.13 ranked Wisconsin.

Another factor playing in the Buckeyes favor is their strength of schedule. According to Landgrantholyland.com, Ohio State has had the hardest schedule to date of any other of the remaining unbeaten teams.

If the Buckeyes keep playing like this, a No.1 CFP ranking at the end of the season will be warranted.