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The Ohio State Buckeyes have been an absolute buzzsaw thus far this season, sitting at 8-0, thanks to thoroughly dominant play on both sides of the ball. But could this be fool’s gold? Ohio State hasn’t exactly played a daunting schedule. It opened up against then-No.1 Texas on Aug. 30, but the Longhorns clearly were not as good as everyone initially thought. Since then, the Buckeyes have played just a single ranked opponent, beating No. 17 Illinois by a score of 34-16 on Oct. 11. Read more: James Franklin Linked to SEC Powerhouse After Being Fired by Penn State Stewart Mandel of The Athletic discussed the legitimacy of Ohio State in a recent mailbag, and he absolutely seems to think Ryan Day’s club is for real … kind of. “But as of this moment, there is nothing to suggest the 2025 Buckeyes are in any way fraudulent,” Mandel wrote. “Their quarterback, Julian Sayin, is completing 80 percent of his passes. He has arguably the two best receivers in the country in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. His offensive line has allowed three sacks all season. And Ohio State’s defense, which is allowing the fewest yards per play (3.75) of any team in the last decade, is an NFL scout’s dream with Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Co.” There is a caveat, though. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes leads the team onto the field before their game against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. “But no, we have not seen the Buckeyes tested by a fellow national championship contender, and we won’t until the Big Ten championship game, presumably against Indiana,” Mandel added. “Texas may still get into the CFP, but the Longhorns weren’t playing at nearly that level at the time they met. Michigan will be a big challenge, as always, but the Wolverines probably aren’t getting to the Playoff. The Buckeyes will enter the CFP having been battle-tested far less frequently than the top SEC teams.” Last year, Ohio State was widely regarded as the most talented team in the country but absorbed a couple of losses before the CFP, falling to Oregon and Michigan. The Buckeyes’ schedule was absolutely brutal during the second half of 2024, as Ohio State faced three top-five teams between Oct. 12 and Nov. 23. And that doesn’t even include their matchups against nuisances like Iowa and Nebraska (and of course Michigan in the season finale). Of course, the Buckeyes went on to win the national championship last winter because they were so battle-tested, which particularly showed in a tight matchup against Texas in the Cotton Bowl. This Ohio State squad is certainly loaded, but is it quite as teeming with talent across the board as the 2024 squad? That’s debatable, and it certainly has not been as tested. Read more: Clemson Has Option to Part Ways With Dabo Swinney Amid $60 Million Buyout What’s more, the Buckeyes don’t play another ranked opponent until the final week of the season, when they face the No. 21 Wolverines in Ann Arbor. We’ll get to see what Ohio State is really made of soon enough. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
