"First, Ohio State (No. 1 on [Mark] Schlabach's list) is obviously in despite a challenging 2025 schedule (No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Penn State at home, No. 13 Illinois and No. 21 Michigan on the road) and the requisite loss to the Wolverines," Connelly noted. "The Buckeyes will go 2-1 against the other headliners and advance at 10-2."

The Ohio State Buckeyes won the National Championship this year. Ohio State won thanks to quarterback Will Howard, who transferred to the university after a stint at Kansas State. Don’t expect the Buckeyes to hop into the portal for their starting quarterback in 2025 though.