College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit named his top five teams in college football right now on Tuesday and thinks his alma mater is the best team in the nation right now.
Herbstreit ranked the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 1, followed by the Oregon Ducks, Ole Miss Rebels, Miami Hurricanes, and Texas A&M Aggies.
The Buckeyes are the defending national champions and are 4-0 to start the 2025 season. They beat the Texas Longhorns to open the year in a rematch of last year’s Cotton Bowl, before beating the Grambling State Tigers, Ohio Bobcats, and Washington Huskies.
They went on the road last week to Washington to take on the Huskies in their first Big Ten game of the season and won by 18, 24-6. Quarterback Julian Sayin finished the game with 208 yards through the air and two touchdowns, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith compiled eight receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown.
Josh Pate also ranks Ohio State as the top team in the country
Kirk Herbstreit wasn’t the only college football analyst to rank the Buckeyes as the top team in the nation heading into this weekend’s games.
Josh Pate also ranked the Buckeyes at No. 1, ahead of the Oregon Ducks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Buckeyes will try to make it five wins in a row to start the 2025 season when they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who are 3-1 to start the year. They’ve beaten the Buffalo Bulls, Northwestern State Demons, and Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Their only loss came on September 13 against the California Golden Bears.
Ryan Day loves the growth he has seen from Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin is in his first year as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback and is off to a strong start. In four games, he has racked up 987 yards through the air, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
During his media press conference this week, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day was asked about Sayin’s growth as a quarterback during last Saturday’s game against the Huskies, and he liked what he saw.
“I like the way he extended plays, even on an extension where you’re running and you’re getting three yards, second & 7 is better than second & 10 or a sack,” Day said. “I thought a big play for him was the third & 17. We got two man, he escapes the pocket, typically nobody has the quarterback unless it’s a three-man rush against two man. Added to the field goal, I think he scampered for like 12 yards, and then shortened that field goal, which adds the percentage of make there, so that’s all really great teaching moments for somebody who has only had four starts.”
Kickoff for this Saturday’s game between the Buckeyes and Golden Gophers is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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