CFB analyst disagrees with ESPN's No. 1 ranking for Ohio State football in way too early top 25

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CFB analyst disagrees with ESPN's No. 1 ranking for Ohio State football in way too early top 25
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton talks to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) during the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on April 18, 2026.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton talks to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) during the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on April 18, 2026.

ESPN had Ohio State atop its way too early college football takings for the 2025 season. On3’s J.D. Pickell is taking an SEC team over the Buckeyes.

The Ohio State Buckeyes just wrapped up their spring where they welcomed in over 50 new players to the program. Ohio State ended the spring with multiple players out injured or recovering from offseason surgery. 

Expectations are high as always for the Buckeyes in 2026 and they’ll be expected to be heavily in the mix in Jeremiah Smith’s third and final year in college. Ryan Day also gets something he hasn’t had often, a starting quarterback returning for a second season with Julian Sayin.

ESPN recently ranked the Buckeyes No. 1 in their way-too-early college football top 25 rankings. One notable analyst disagrees with the spot and has an SEC team ahead of Ohio State. 

J.D. Pickell has Ohio State No. 2 in the way-too-early college football top 25

On3’s J.D. Pickell released his post-spring top 25 college football rankings, and the Buckeyes came in at No. 2 trailing the Georgia Bulldogs. The Buckeyes are one of seven Big Ten teams in the top 25. Oregon (No. 3), Indiana (No. 7), Michigan (No. 14), Washington (No. 17), Penn State (No. 20), and Iowa (No. 21) all presented the Big Ten. 

USC is another team going to have a chance to be in the top 25. 

What to make out of Ohio State exiting the spring 

Ohio State dealt with plenty of injuries this spring as mentioned and it showed up in the spring game.  Ohio State’s starting defensive line made it tough on Julia Sayin, who was being protected by Ohio State’s No. 3 and No. 4 offensive tackles. With the players out on the roster between running back, offensive line, and the defense – the Buckeyes have a very important summer ahead. 

The Buckeyes have a team plenty capable of winning it all in 2026. To do so it’s going to take multiple things happening including a big step forward for Sayin. Their schedule is a gauntlet, but the Buckeyes will be better for it once the postseason arrives if they can make it through.   

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