Forget what you think you know about college football’s top teams, because ESPN analyst EJ Manuel just dropped a bomb. He’s calling it: Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin will lead his team to a national title this season, going wire-to-wire as the country’s No. 1 squad. That’s a huge claim, especially considering the preseason AP Poll top ranking is usually a curse.
The Wire-to-Wire Dream
Manuel laid out his bold prediction on ESPN’s Get Up, pointing straight to Sayin as the catalyst. Think about it: only two teams since the AP preseason poll started way back in 1950 have pulled off the wire-to-wire feat, maintaining the No. 1 spot from August all the way through to lifting the national championship trophy. Ohio State did it back in 2024, so they know that feeling. Now, Manuel believes they can repeat history, with Sayin at the helm, and do it from start to finish. He’s betting on them to win every game.
The Gauntlet They Face
Let’s be real, Manuel isn’t just tossing out a wild take. He’s looked at the Buckeyes’ schedule, and it’s absolutely brutal. We’re talking road games at Texas in Week 2, plus trips to Iowa, Indiana, and USC later in the season. That’s four of their five road games against preseason top-25 opponents! Coming out of that unscathed? Man, that’s a tough ask. The Big Ten is no joke, and they’ll be tested every single week. But here’s the thing: their offense is dynamic, with Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith both legit Heisman Trophy contenders. Those guys can flat-out play.
The Defensive Question Mark
But hold up, not everyone is sold on the wire-to-wire dream. ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers jumped in with the big question mark: the defense. While Rodgers agrees Sayin and Smith make the offense electric, he brought up a huge point: Ohio State lost their three best defensive players. We’re talking Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs, all drafted really high. You can’t just “plug and play” guys like that and expect the same level. Rodgers’ concern is whether that defense can truly reload those “dynamic, all-world-type players” and still reach the national championship. It’s a fair point.
So, can Ryan Day’s lessons from last year and his career help this Ohio State team become a College Football Playoff national champion? It all kicks off against Ball State on September 5, which is also Senior Day for the Buckeyes. Every snap, every tackle, every game against a top-25 opponent is going to matter. This season is going to be a wild ride, and everyone’s watching to see if Manuel’s crazy prediction comes true or if Rodgers’ defensive worries prove to be the real story.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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