After shaking off early-season struggles, the Buckeyes’ breakout star eyes the top five. Now, Sayin must dismantle Iowa’s elite defense to prove he’s a championship-caliber playmaker.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin's development is going to be important for the Buckeyes' hopes of winning the national championship.
Coming into the season, Sayin needed to prove that he was more than a game manager, a narrative that surrounded him during an impressive first season as a starter in 2025.
Sayin's first real test of the season came in a 24-23 loss to Texas. He finished going 17 of 32 passing for 278 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He missed several key throws that could have helped Ohio State put the game away.
Following the loss to Texas, Sayin's stock as a college quarterback took a hit. He rebounded by throwing for 241 yards and two touchdowns in a 59-3 win over Kent State. In Week 4, Sayin was on another level, throwing for 367 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-19 win over Illinois.
David Cobb of CBS Sports bumped up Sayin's ranking from No. 17 to No. 8 in his college football quarterback power rankings. Cobb thinks Sayin is headed in the right direction, but he'll have to play better against elite competition before he can re-enter top-five status.
Ahead of Sayin is Georgia's Gunner Stockton, Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor, Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss, and Miami's Darian Mensah.
On Saturday, Sayin will have an opportunity to beat No. 14 Iowa. The Hawkeyes as a whole might not be considered elite, but they have been great on defense so far this season. Iowa has allowed a total of 32 points through four games and has pitched two shutouts.
Iowa's defense ranks No. 10 in the nation, having given up just 959 yards through four games.
Ohio State has another tough challenge for Sayin and the offense coming on Oct. 17 when it travels to play No. 6 Indiana. By then, Sayin will have shown what he can do against a few good defenses.
Ohio State has a challenging schedule coming up
Ohio State's next five games will come against No. 14 Iowa, Maryland, No. 6 Indiana, No. 18 USC, and No. 15 Oregon. Those games will provide a serious challenge for a Buckeyes team that already had one loss before conference play.
To win those games, Sayin must be more than a game manager. He must continue to key in on getting star receiver Jeremiah Smith the ball if Ohio State is to make the College Football Playoff.
