Who would win if the Ohio State Buckeyes played the Baylor Bears? (poll)

Sophomore Noah Spence (8) is one of six 5-star recruits on the Ohio State football roster. (Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)
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on November 22, 2013 at 8:30 AM, updated November 22, 2013 at 3:03 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Who would win if the Ohio State Buckeyes played the Baylor Bears? That's a great debate. But a look at the lineups reveals that the Buckeyes have packed their roster with far more highly-touted recruits.

In fact, if sizing up the talent is one way to separate the top contenders for the national title, Baylor is not in the same league with Ohio State, Florida State or Alabama - at least for those who believe the ratings assigned at recruiting time.

Following up on recent stories about recruiting for the best teams over the last several years, we took a look at who is playing and found Baylor's starting lineup is dominated by 2-star and 3-star recruits. Ohio State's is filled with 4-star and 5-star recruits.

As for the entire 2013 roster for each school, Baylor has far fewer top-flight recruits - those getting 4- and 5-star ratings from - than Alabama, Florida State or Ohio State.

Why is this relevant? It's just another way to look how good each of the undefeated teams might be since they are operating this season in silos, of sorts. They're in separate conferences. They play few difficult non-league games.

None of the nation's undefeated teams has a non-conference win against a team currently ranked in the AP Top 25.

So we compared the 2013 rosters to the ratings assigned when the players were being recruited.

As for 5-star recruits, we found 10 for Florida State, nine for Alabama, six for Ohio State and just one for Baylor. That 5-star Baylor player is star running back Lache Seastrunk, a transfer from Oregon.

Combining the number of 4- and 5-star recruits, Alabama leads with 57, followed by Ohio State with 51, Florida State with 42 and Baylor with just 12.

But those numbers are for the rosters as a whole. What about the players who are actually playing?

We went through the starting lineups and found 74 percent of Ohio State's starters (17 of 23) were 4- or 5-star recruits.

In comparison, just 20 percent (6 of 30) of Baylor's starters were that highly regarded at recruiting time.

There are more than 22 listed starters for each school because OSU lists 12 starting defensive positions, Baylor lists 14 starting offensive positions, and Baylor in some cases lists two players as sharing a starting spot.

The ratings, of course, are not full-proof. They're a guess as to talent based on performance at a very young age, and they can be wrong.

OSU cornerback Bradley Roby was an All-American last year, though he is one of the few "lowly rated" 3-star recruits starting for the Buckeyes. OSU star quarterback Braxton Miller was a 4-star recruit, not a 5-star.

But overall the ratings can offer some insight into the talent the individual schools have accumulated over time.

Buckeye Numbers is a weekly feature from focusing on stats involving Ohio State football.

Roster breakdown

Here are the recruiting ratings for players on the 2013 rosters for the nation's top four college football teams. Not included are players without ratings. These often are walk-ons, transfers from small schools and foreign players.

  • Alabama
  • Baylor
  • Florida St.
  • Ohio St.

Alabama roster

Name Rating
Allen, Jonathan 5 stars
Clinton-Dix, Hasean 5 stars
Collins, Landon 5 stars
Foster, Reuben 5 stars
Hart, Demetrius 5 stars
Howard, O.J. 5 stars
Kouandjio, Cyrus 5 stars
Robinson, A'Shawn 5 stars
Yeldon, T.J. 5 stars
Anderson, Ryan 4 stars
Bateman, Cooper 4 stars
Bell, Kenny 4 stars
Black, Chris 4 stars
Bowman, Michael 4 stars
Cooper, Amari 4 stars
DePriest, Trey 4 stars
Devall, Denzel 4 stars
Dickson, Xzavier 4 stars
Drake, Kenyan 4 stars
Faciane, Malcolm 4 stars
Falkins, Raheem 4 stars
Fanning, LaMichael 4 stars
Foster, Robert 4 stars
Fowler, Jalston 4 stars
Fulton, John 4 stars
Greene, Brandon 4 stars
Henry, Derrick 4 stars
Hill, Grant 4 stars
Hubbard, Adrian 4 stars
Jones, Chris 4 stars
Jones, Cyrus 4 stars
Jones, Tyren 4 stars
Kamara, Alvin 4 stars
Kirven, Korren 4 stars
Kouandjio, Arie 4 stars
Lee, Dillon 4 stars
Liner, Dee 4 stars
McCarron, AJ 4 stars
Moore, Brandon 4 stars
Mosley, C.J. 4 stars
Norwood, Kevin 4 stars
Pagan, Jeoffrey 4 stars
Patrick, Tana 4 stars
Perry, Nick 4 stars
Ragland, Reggie 4 stars
Sims, Blake 4 stars
Smith, Geno 4 stars
Smith, Maurice 4 stars
Stewart, ArDarius 4 stars
Stinson, Ed 4 stars
Sylve, Bradley 4 stars
Tenpenny, Altee 4 stars
Tomlinson, Dalvin 4 stars
Vogler, Brian 4 stars
White, DeAndrew 4 stars
Williams, Jarrick 4 stars
Williams, Tim 4 stars
Averett, Anthony 3 stars
Ball, Dakota 3 stars
Belue, Deion 3 stars
Belue, Deion 3 stars
Brown, Leon 3 stars
Cook, Jonathan 3 stars
Foster, Cade 3 stars
Freitag, Kurt 3 stars
Griffith, Adam 3 stars
Hill, Brandon 3 stars
Ivory, Brandon 3 stars
Jackson, Eddie 3 stars
Jones, Harrison 3 stars
Jones, Walker 3 stars
Kelly, Ryan 3 stars
Lake, Darren 3 stars
Lindsay, Chad 3 stars
Love, Wilson 3 stars
Luatua, Isaac 3 stars
Mazza, Cole 3 stars
McLeod, Parker 3 stars
Morris, Alec 3 stars
Orr, Anthony 3 stars
Shepherd, Austin 3 stars
Steen, Anthony 3 stars
Sunseri, Vinnie 3 stars
Taylor, Alphonse 3 stars
Washington, Jabriel 3 stars
Williams, Kellen 3 stars

Baylor roster

Name Rating
Seastrunk, Lache 5 stars
Billings, Andrew 4 stars
Coleman, Corey 4 stars
Dixon, Ahmad 4 stars
Drango, Spencer 4 stars
Griffin, Robert 4 stars
Kent, Prince 4 stars
Martin, Glasco 4 stars
Nance, Brian 4 stars
Oakman, Shawn 4 stars
Rhodes, Robbie 4 stars
Stephenson, Tyler 4 stars
Armstead, Tre-Von 3 stars
Baker, Troy 3 stars
Blackshear, Beau 3 stars
Blanchard, Travon 3 stars
Bonds, Byron 3 stars
Brooks, Terrell 3 stars
Burt, Terrell 3 stars
Chafin, Devin 3 stars
Clemons-Valdez, Trevor 3 stars
Colbert, Pat 3 stars
Copeland, Tuswani 3 stars
Davis, Raaquan 3 stars
Edwards, Aiavion 3 stars
Ehrlich, Kendall 3 stars
Ezell, Zorrell 3 stars
Fuller, Kyle 3 stars
Goodley, Antwan 3 stars
Hawthorne, Lynx 3 stars
Holl, Sam 3 stars
Jefferson, Johnny 3 stars
Johnson, Chris 3 stars
Jones, Darius 3 stars
Jupe, Austin 3 stars
Lackey, Eddie 3 stars
Lee, Jonathon 3 stars
Levels, Patrick 3 stars
Linwood, Rashodrick 3 stars
Lloyd, Terrance 3 stars
Masumbuko, Suleiman 3 stars
McAllister, Chris 3 stars
McGowan, LaQuan 3 stars
Najvar, Jordan 3 stars
Norwood, Levi 3 stars
Palmer, Jamal 3 stars
Palmer, Kelvin 3 stars
Penning, Gus 3 stars
Petty, Bryce 3 stars
Phillips, Xavier 3 stars
Pullom, Alfred 3 stars
Reid, Ryan 3 stars
Richardson, Cyril 3 stars
Russell, Seth 3 stars
Sells, Taion 3 stars
Singleton, Terrence 3 stars
Smith, K.J. 3 stars
Ukwuachu, Sam 3 stars
Webb, Anthony 3 stars
Hager, Bryce 2 stars
Hilliard, Desmine 2 stars
Howard, Xavien 2 stars
Jefferson, Willie 2 stars
Monk, Jerod 2 stars
Moore, Kaleb 2 stars
Morton, K.J. 2 stars
Muir, Blake 2 stars
Reese, Tevin 2 stars
Roth, Spencer 2 stars
Stewart, Orion 2 stars
Thrift, Tanner 2 stars
Trahan, Brody 2 stars
Young, Taylor 2 stars

Florida State roster

Name Rating
Edwards, Mario 5 stars
Goldman, Eddie 5 stars
Jones, Christian 5 stars
Joyner, Lamarcus 5 stars
McDaniel, Jacobbi 5 stars
Ramsey, Jalen 5 stars
Thomas, Matthew 5 stars
Wilder Jr., James 5 stars
Williams, Karlos 5 stars
Winston, Jameis 5 stars
Benjamin, Kelvin 4 stars
Blake, Colin 4 stars
Bryant, Keith 4 stars
Casher, Chris 4 stars
Darby, Ronald 4 stars
Denson, Ira 4 stars
Eligwe, Ukeme 4 stars
Fahrenkrug, Jacob 4 stars
Freeman, Devonta 4 stars
Green, Christian 4 stars
Green, Ryan 4 stars
Greene, Rashad 4 stars
Hart, Bobby 4 stars
Jones, Isaiah 4 stars
Lawrence-Stample, Nile 4 stars
Levenberry, E.J. 4 stars
Matias, Josue 4 stars
McAllister, Demonte 4 stars
Mitchell, Derrick 4 stars
Newberry, Giorgio 4 stars
Northrup, Reggie 4 stars
O'Leary, Nick 4 stars
Pender, Mario 4 stars
Shanks, Justin 4 stars
Shaw, Kenny 4 stars
Smith, Telvin 4 stars
Stevenson, Freddie 4 stars
Waisome, Nick 4 stars
Walker, DeMarcus 4 stars
White, Marquez 4 stars
Whitfield, Levonte 4 stars
Williams, P.J. 4 stars
Abram, Chad 3 stars
Aguayo, Roberto 3 stars
Andrews, Nate 3 stars
Bell, Wilson 3 stars
Brooks, Terrence 3 stars
Brutus, Lamarcus 3 stars
Carter, Ruben 3 stars
Coker, Jacob 3 stars
Demps, Gerald 3 stars
Erving, Cameron 3 stars
Franklin, John 3 stars
Haggins, Jarred 3 stars
Haplea, Kevin 3 stars
Hoefeld, Ryan 3 stars
Hollin, Desmond 3 stars
Hoskins, Ro'Derrick 3 stars
Hunter, Tyler 3 stars
Jackson, Tre 3 stars
Jenkins, Arrington 3 stars
Kerr, Jeremy 3 stars
Lovelady, Sterling 3 stars
Lyons, Tyrell 3 stars
Maguire, Sean 3 stars
Smith, Keelin 3 stars
Smith, Terrance 3 stars
Stork, Bryan 3 stars
Terrell, Nigel 3 stars
Wilson, Jesus 3 stars
Barron, Austin 2 stars
Beatty, Cason 2 stars
Bryant, Davarez 2 stars
Hicks, Dan 2 stars

Ohio State roster

Name Rating
Bell, Vonn 5 stars
Brown, Corey 5 stars
Grant, Curtis 5 stars
Mitchell, Mike 5 stars
Spence, Noah 5 stars
Washington, Adolphus 5 stars
Apple, Eli 4 stars
Ball, Warren 4 stars
Barnett, C.J. 4 stars
Barrett, J.T. 4 stars
Baugh, Marcus 4 stars
Bennett, Michael 4 stars
Bogard, De'van 4 stars
Bosa, Joey 4 stars
Brown, Corey 4 stars
Bryant, Christian 4 stars
Burrows, Cameron 4 stars
Clark, James 4 stars
Decker, Taylor 4 stars
Dodson, Kyle 4 stars
Dunn, Bri'onte 4 stars
Elliott, Ezekiel 4 stars
Farris, Chase 4 stars
Fields, Chris 4 stars
Grant, Doran 4 stars
Hall, Jordan 4 stars
Hall, Marcus 4 stars
Hill, Michael 4 stars
Hyde, Carlos 4 stars
Johnson, Trey 4 stars
Lewis, Tyquan 4 stars
Linsley, Corey 4 stars
Lisle, Evan 4 stars
Marshall, Jalin 4 stars
Mewhort, Jack 4 stars
Miller, Braxton 4 stars
Miller, Steve 4 stars
Norwell, Andrew 4 stars
Perry, Josh 4 stars
Price, Billy 4 stars
Reeves, Armani 4 stars
Schutt, Tommy 4 stars
Shazier, Ryan 4 stars
Smith, Corey 4 stars
Smith, Roderick 4 stars
Thomas, Michael 4 stars
Thompson, Jayme 4 stars
Vannett, Nick 4 stars
Williams, Camren 4 stars
Wilson, Dontre 4 stars
Wood, Jamie 4 stars
Baldwin, Darryl 3 stars
Boren, Jacoby 3 stars
Brown, Tommy 3 stars
Carter, Chris 3 stars
Conley, Gareon 3 stars
Elflein, Pat 3 stars
Epitropoulos, Frank 3 stars
Greene, Jeff 3 stars
Guiton, Kenny 3 stars
Hale, Joel 3 stars
Heuerman, Jeff 3 stars
Jones, Cardale 3 stars
Lee, Darron 3 stars
Marcus, Jamal 3 stars
Moore, J.T. 3 stars
Munger, Donovan 3 stars
Powell, Tyvis 3 stars
Roby, Bradley 3 stars
Smith, Devin 3 stars
Spencer, Evan 3 stars
Sprinkle, Tracy 3 stars
Tanner, Ron 3 stars
Thomas, Blake 3 stars
Underwood, Antonio 3 stars
Worley, Christopher 3 stars
Basil, Drew 2 stars
Griffin, Adam 2 stars
Haynes, Bryce 2 stars