The Ohio State Buckeyes are still ruling the college football scene, hanging onto their No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings for the second week straight. This comes after a blazing 9-0 start to the 2025 season, and honestly, they’ve looked sharp on both offense and defense.
When the CFP rankings dropped, Ohio State found itself ahead of heavyweights like Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia. So, what exactly is making this Buckeyes squad so tough right now?
Ohio State’s Impressive Season So Far
Ohio State’s climb to the top has been pretty wild. That perfect 9-0 record tells part of the story, but it’s how they’ve played that really stands out.
The season opener was a tense 14-7 win over then No. 10 Texas. After that, they rolled through Grambling State, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Purdue.
Their latest win was a convincing 34-10 over Purdue. That one just seemed to put an exclamation point on their dominance so far.
Key Players and Standout Performances
Much of the Buckeyes’ success comes down to a few players who keep stepping up. Quarterback Julian Sayin has caught everyone’s attention, leading the country in passing efficiency and completion percentage.
Sayin’s accuracy and calm under pressure have been huge for Ohio State’s offense. The offensive line deserves a shoutout too—they’ve kept him upright and comfortable, which is no small feat.
On the outside, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate have been making defenses sweat with big catches and explosive plays. And defensively? The Buckeyes’ front is just plain nasty, constantly disrupting opposing quarterbacks and running backs.
Strength of Schedule and Rankings
Ohio State’s dominance shows up in the rankings and the stats. They’re sitting at No. 1 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, plus Bill Connelly’s SP+ and ESPN’s College Football Power Index.
ESPN’s metrics put Ohio State at No. 3 in strength of record, just behind Indiana and Texas A&M, and No. 15 for strength of schedule among FBS teams. Not too shabby, right?
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the Buckeyes have UCLA, Rutgers, and then a big one against No. 18 Michigan. That last stretch is ranked No. 21 in difficulty, so there’s still plenty to prove.
CFP Selection Committee’s Perspective
The CFP selection committee, led by Mack Rhoades, seems pretty sold on Ohio State at No. 1. Rhoades has talked up their defensive front and praised the offensive line for making life easier for Sayin.
He’s also pointed out Sayin’s efficiency and accuracy, which, honestly, have been hard to ignore this season.
Implications for the Playoff Picture
If the playoff bracket were set right now, Ohio State would be looking at a quarterfinal against either Oregon or Notre Dame. That’s a matchup that could go a lot of ways, depending on how the Buckeyes finish out the regular season.
Finishing strong could lock in a great playoff spot and maybe, just maybe, set them up for another shot at a national title.
Conclusion
Ohio State keeps showing why they’re at the top of college football. Their mix of raw talent, prep, and execution is tough to ignore.
They’re still holding onto that No. 1 spot in the CFP rankings for the second week in a row. The Buckeyes have their eyes on the national championship, and honestly, who could blame them?
With some key players stepping up and a schedule that’s tough but not impossible, they’ve got a real shot at a deep playoff run. Want to dig deeper into their season or see what might be next?
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