Ohio State’s Undefeated 2025 Start & Playoff Path
While Penn State’s season implodes and Indiana surprises everyone with an undefeated record, there’s another undefeated team in the Big Ten commanding the nation’s attention: No. 1 ranked Ohio State, sitting at a perfect 7-0 with a 4-0 Big Ten record and a clear path to maintain their undefeated status through the regular season.
The Buckeyes aren’t just winning—they’re dominating, with a balanced offense featuring efficient quarterback play and a dynamic receiving corps, paired with a defense that’s suffocating opponents week after week.
The Julian Sayin Surprise
When Ohio State lost longtime starting quarterback Kyle McCord to the transfer portal, many questioned whether the Buckeyes could maintain their elite status. Enter Julian Sayin, a veteran signal-caller who’s answered every question asked of him.
Sayin’s 2025 Statistics:
- Completions: 156 of 195 (80.0%)
- Passing Yards: 1,872
- Touchdowns: 19
- Interceptions: 3
- Efficiency: Among the nation’s elite
Sayin is playing mistake-free football, protecting the ball while taking what defenses give him. He’s not putting excessive pressure on himself to win games single-handedly—instead, he’s executing the game plan with precision.
What’s most impressive is Sayin’s consistency. In an era of college football where backup quarterbacks often struggle with the transition, Sayin has looked like a seasoned veteran from day one.
Jeremiah Smith: The Freshman Phenom
While Sayin manages the offense efficiently, true freshman Jeremiah Smith has emerged as one of college football’s most dominant receiving talents.
Jeremiah Smith’s 2025 Statistics:
- Receptions: 49
- Receiving Yards: 602
- Touchdowns: 7
- Average: 12.3 yards per reception
Smith is a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. At 6’2” with elite athleticism and body control, he consistently makes contested catches against top-tier cornerbacks. His ability to track the football and extend plays after the catch has been revolutionary.
What’s particularly remarkable is that Smith is a true freshman—a 2024 recruit who redshirted last year. This is his first season seeing significant playing time, and he’s already among the nation’s most productive receivers.
The Defense: Historic Dominance
Ohio State’s defense is playing at an elite level, holding opponents to historically low yardage and point totals. The unit is disciplined, assignment-sound, and featuring playmakers at every level.
Key Defensive Factors:
- Defensive Line: Elite pass rush generating consistent pressure
- Secondary: Corner depth and safety coverage excellence
- Linebacker Corps: Intelligent, fast-flowing play
- Turnover Creation: Forcing mistakes and capitalizing on them
The Buckeyes are playing smothering defense that doesn’t give opponents hope.
The Remaining Schedule: A Clear Path
Ohio State’s remaining six games are against:
- Wisconsin (Nov 1) - Unranked, rebuilding
- Penn State (Nov 8) - 3-4, in crisis mode
- Purdue (Nov 15) - Unranked, struggling
- UCLA (Nov 22) - Unranked, transferred
- Rutgers (Nov 29) - Unranked, rebuilding
- Michigan (Dec 6) - TBD
The Reality: All of Ohio State’s remaining regular season opponents are currently unranked. ESPN’s projection: zero ranked opponents remaining on the schedule.
This presents a blessing and a curse:
- Blessing: Ohio State can realistically finish 13-0 heading into the Big Ten Championship Game
- Curse: Strength of schedule will be a criticism when Playoff selection time arrives
The Ohio State vs. Indiana Storyline
The compelling narrative is the potential collision between No. 1 Ohio State (potentially 12-0) and undefeated Indiana (potentially 12-0) in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Key Factors:
- Head-to-Head: Teams haven’t played yet
- Strength of Schedule: Ohio State would have the tougher schedule with Michigan remaining
- Playoff Implications: Winner is almost certainly a #1 or #2 seed; loser is likely excluded entirely
The Buckeyes would be heavy favorites in such a matchup based on talent, experience, and history, but Indiana would enter with momentum and nothing to lose.
Championship Aspirations
Ohio State’s ultimate goal is clear: compete for a National Championship. The Buckeyes have:
- Established a clear identity: Efficient offense, stifling defense
- Proven they can win close games: Multiple victories over respectable competition
- Featured elite talent: Smith, Sayin, and defensive stars at every level
- Demonstrated consistency: No close calls or let-downs
A 13-0 or 14-0 Ohio State team would be a serious contender for a #1 playoff seed and National Championship berth.
The Big Ten Championship Game Question
If both Ohio State and Indiana win out to 12-0, the Big Ten Championship Game becomes the de facto playoff play-in game. The winner advances to the College Football Playoff as the Big Ten Champion and likely a top-2 seed. The loser might still make the Playoff as an at-large, but would drop significantly in seeding.
This dynamic creates an interesting contrast to years past:
- Ohio State’s perspective: They’re the favorite and expected to make the Playoff regardless
- Indiana’s perspective: Win the Championship, and they’re a #1 or #2 seed; lose, and they’re fighting for an at-large bid
National Implications
Ohio State’s dominance has broader implications for college football:
- Big Ten Strength: Two undefeated Big Ten teams (Ohio State, Indiana) shows the conference’s depth
- Playoff Format: Early indication that the Big Ten will likely have multiple representatives
- National Talent: Sayin, Smith, and the defense show the caliber of talent Ohio State attracts
Concerns and Questions
Despite the perfect record, some questions linger:
- Strength of Schedule: How will a 13-0 Ohio State with zero ranked wins compare to a 12-1 team with multiple ranked wins?
- Competition Level: The absence of challenging regular season competition could be exposed in the Playoff
- Complacency: Will the Buckeyes maintain focus with an easy remaining schedule?
Head Coach Ryan Day has been through this before and has a track record of keeping teams focused on the ultimate prize.
The Michigan Factor
Ohio State’s season finale is against Michigan on December 6. By that point:
- If Michigan is ranked, it becomes an instant playoff-implications game
- If Michigan is unranked, the matchup loses some shine but remains historically significant
- Either way, Ohio State needs to win to maintain playoff seeding
The rivalry game could ultimately determine playoff seeding if both teams are undefeated entering the contest.
Historical Context
An undefeated Ohio State team in the Playoff is not unprecedented, but it’s always significant. Recent examples:
- 2019: Ohio State went 13-0 before losing to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl
- 2014: Ohio State won the National Championship at 14-1 after winning the Playoff
- 2016: Ohio State went 11-1 in the regular season
This Ohio State team has the talent and consistency to compete for a championship if they can navigate the Playoff correctly.
Conclusion: Ohio State’s Path to Glory
The Buckeyes are positioned to become only one of a handful of teams to reach the College Football Playoff undefeated. With Julian Sayin executing efficiently, Jeremiah Smith providing explosive plays, and a dominant defense holding teams in check, Ohio State has all the pieces to make a legitimate run at a National Championship.
The question isn’t whether Ohio State will reach the Playoff—they almost certainly will. The question is whether they can be the best team when it matters most in January.
Next up for the Buckeyes: Wisconsin comes to Columbus on November 1. The Badgers are currently struggling and Ohio State is expected to roll, keeping their undefeated record intact heading into November.