The Ohio State Buckeyes enter this season as the defending national champions and once again hold the No. 1 ranking in the nation. With an impressive talent pool and strong early-season performances, the Buckeyes are positioned for a serious run at an undefeated record and another national title.
One of the standout players drawing national attention is wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who many consider the best player in college football right now. However, history shows that wide receivers rarely receive enough backing to win the Heisman Trophy, as this prestigious award typically favors quarterbacks and running backs.
This dynamic could work in favor of Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Sayin has garnered support from notable figures such as Robert Griffin III, former Baylor and NFL quarterback, who praised Sayin’s accuracy and consistency during the Fox college football pregame show. According to Griffin, these qualities make Sayin a leading contender for college football’s most coveted individual honor.
Sayin’s stats this season back up that praise. He has completed 156 of 195 passes for 1,873 yards, with an impressive 19-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. These numbers highlight how well Sayin has adjusted in his first year running head coach Ryan Day’s offense.
### Upcoming Challenges for Sayin and the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes cruised to a dominant 34-0 victory at Wisconsin, but tougher challenges lie ahead. Their next game against Penn State looms as a significant test. The Nittany Lions were considered Big Ten favorites before the season but have since struggled, enduring a three-game losing streak that led to the dismissal of head coach James Franklin.
Penn State’s defense will likely play with extra motivation facing the Buckeyes, potentially challenging Sayin and Ohio State’s passing attack more than previous opponents.
Following that, Ohio State is expected to have relatively easier matchups against Purdue, UCLA, and Rutgers. However, the season finale at Michigan could prove to be their toughest game. The Buckeyes have lost four straight to the Wolverines, and both Sayin and Day will face intense pressure to break that streak.
As the Buckeyes continue their title defense, all eyes will be on Julian Sayin to see if he can lead Ohio State to another championship and earn himself a spot in Heisman Trophy history.
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