Nick Saban didn’t hesitate when asked about Ohio State, and the message he delivered should sound pretty good to Buckeyes fans: he thinks this team has the kind of makeup that can win it all.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban called Ohio State “one of the most complete teams in the country.” He pointed to the Buckeyes’ balance on offense, defense, special teams and overall roster depth, while also saying Iowa will have a hard time handling Ohio State’s explosive passing game in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.
“I think Ohio State is one of the most complete teams in the country. I know they got tired in the fourth quarter, and Texas came back to beat them.
But I still think offense, defense, special teams, roster- they are one of the best teams in the country. I think it's going to be very difficult for Iowa to defend explosive plays.”
That kind of praise lands differently when it comes from Saban. Ohio State has looked like a powerhouse for most of the season, with the lone real blemish coming in Week 2 against Texas, when a 20-point lead slipped away in the fourth quarter. Since then, the Buckeyes have settled in and started looking every bit like the team people expected, blowing out opponents and piling up big plays through the air.
Even with some rough patches - including giving up plenty of rushing yards against Illinois last week - Saban still sees a team that has something most others don’t: completeness. That may also say plenty about the rest of the country, where so many contenders seem to have one glaring weak spot. Ohio State, at least in Saban’s eyes, is built differently.
Jeremiah Smith is a huge part of that. The Buckeyes’ receiver keeps giving Ohio State a weapon few defenses can match, and Saban’s comments made it clear he believes Smith can help the Buckeyes overcome almost anything. With the way Smith is playing, Ohio State has a chance to lean on pure explosiveness when it matters most.
Saturday’s trip to Iowa gives the Buckeyes another chance to prove it. A win in Kinnick would bring a serious jolt of confidence, especially with the stretch ahead. Ohio State can only afford one more loss if it wants to guarantee its place in the College Football Playoff, and four of its next five games come against ranked opponents.
That makes this matchup more than just another road test. It’s a measuring stick for whether Ohio State is really ready for what’s coming. And if the Buckeyes keep playing the way Saban described, they’ll look every bit like a team that belongs in the title conversation.
In Other News...
Julian Sayin Sends Ohio State Offense A Clear Warning Before Iowa
Julian Sayin left the Illinois game sounding more like a quarterback settling into the bigger picture than one looking for a quick victory lap. He pointed to the offense's steady progress, the value of keeping drives alive with his legs, and the growing comfort level around him as young receivers continue to take on larger roles. Jeremiah Smith has been a central part of that mix, and Sayin also credited the veteran offensive linemen for helping stabilize things up front as the Buckeyes keep building.
The next test comes with another road trip, and Sayin made it clear those spots demand sharper execution and a little more maturity from everyone involved. Iowa is the kind of place where the margin for error can shrink fast, and Ohio State's quarterback knows the offense cannot treat this as a finished product. The message from Sayin was simple enough: the Buckeyes have come a long way, but the real work is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Still Has One Passing Game Issue Jeremiah Smith Cant Solve
Jeremiah Smith has been everything Ohio State could have hoped for in the passing game, and then some. The offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, pointed to the wideouts exceptional production, with Jeremiah Smith leading the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns, while the Buckeyes continue to lean on him as the centerpiece of the aerial attack.
Still, the passing game has one lingering question beyond its star. Ohio State is trying to establish a reliable second option, with Devin McCuin currently sitting as the teams second-leading receiver, and coaches and players have kept stressing that the offense will need more than one target to keep evolving. The message from inside the program is clear enough: the Buckeyes are pleased with the production they have, but they also know the next layer of consistency has to come from somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Has One Huge Chance To Make A National Statement
Ohio State heads into a rare early measuring-stick game with a chance to leave no doubt about where it stands nationally. The Buckeyes have looked sharp enough to build real momentum, and the next step comes in a difficult road setting where every possession matters and every explosive play carries extra weight.
Jeremiah Smith remains one of the biggest reasons this game has taken on added intrigue, even beyond the team stakes around him. With the matchup set against unbeaten Iowa and its stingy defense at Kinnick Stadium, Ohio State will also be watching how Julian Sayin handles the moment and whether the defense can create the kind of turnovers that turn a good win into something louder. [Read more 🡒]