Latest On3 preseason ranking for Ohio State doesn't make an ounce of sense

In his recent post-spring Top 25 rankings, On3 college football analyst Andy Staples placed Penn State at No. 4, one spot ahead of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who he ranked at No. 5. It goes without saying, but plenty of Ohio State football fans aren't too happy about this:

While Penn State is undoubtedly a strong team, returning a large amount of their production from the previous year, as did the last two national champions, Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in 2024, ranking them above Ohio State is a questionable decision.

Staples overlooks the Buckeyes' glaring key strengths and overstates the Nittany Lions' advantages. Particularly, his concerns about Ohio State's offensive line, defensive line, and quarterback situation don't hold up under scrutiny, and his failure to fully consider Ohio State's coaching pedigree, culture, and historical dominance over Penn State further undermines his ranking.

Staples argues that Ohio State has "a lot to replace on both lines of scrimmage," labelling the offensive line as a weak point. However, Ohio State returns four of their top six offensive linemen who saw snaps in the playoffs: Carson Hinzman, Tegra Tshabola, Austin Siereveld, and Luke Montgomery.

The Buckeyes have also bolstered their line with Ethan Onianwa, a top-50 transfer portal player according to On3's industry rankings. With four returning contributors and a high-caliber transfer, Ohio State's offensive line is far from a liability. It’s a unit poised to maintain the high standard that helped the Buckeyes dominate en route to their national title.

The Ohio State defensive line will be ready to put on a show next season

On the defensive side, Staples' concern about Ohio State's line is valid, as the Buckeyes did lose all four starters from last year and they have so far failed to add depth on the interior of the defensive line in the spring transfer portal window. However, the track record of defensive line coach Larry Johnson diminishes Staple's concern, especially when comparing them to Penn State who only returns two of their top four defensive linemen in terms of snaps from last year.

Larry Johnson is one of the best defensive line coaches in college football, yet scrutiny of him and his age is not new. Despite being questioned about retirement for years, Johnson’s defensive front at Ohio State has consistently stifled the rushing attacks, in particular Penn State, which the Buckeyes have held to under four yards per carry every year since 2019. Despite some turnover, Ohio State will remain a formidable force on the defensive line. Staples’ failure to acknowledge Johnson’s proven ability to develop elite defensive linemen is a significant oversight.

Jeremiah Smith remains one of the best players in all of college football

Staples' final concern is starting a new quarterback. However, this concern ignores Ryan Day's exceptional track record with first-year starting quarterbacks both as the offensive coordinator and the head coach at Ohio State: Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and Kyle McCord. These quarterbacks, in their first season starting in college football, averaged a 69% completion percentage, 3,927 yards, 40 touchdowns, fewer than six interceptions, and 9.4 yards per attempt that season. Three of these four were Heisman finalists, and none ever lost to Penn State.

The new starting quarterback will also be aided by an experienced group of pass-catchers. Ohio State returns two of their top three targeted players from last year, including, as Staples puts it, "The nation’s best returning offensive player," who is Jeremiah Smith. They also added the top tight end in the transfer portal, according to Staples' employer, On3, and competing site 247Sports. This offensive continuity and talent suggest the new quarterback will have the support needed to thrive, making Staples’ skepticism about the position unwarranted.

Staples also fails to include key points about Ohio State, despite praising Penn State’s hiring of Jim Knowles, whom he notes, "was last seen helping Ohio State win a national title." While Knowles is a talented coordinator and was the best defensive coordinator in the country last year, Staples omits any mention of a new defensive coordinator to college football: Ohio State’s Matt Patricia.

Staples was quick to bring up the national championship Knowles won under Ryan Day, but he failed to mention the three Super Bowl rings Matt Patricia earned with the New England Patriots. Patricia’s experience at the highest levels of football adds a layer of expertise that is at the very least on par with Penn State, yet Staples’ analysis glosses over this critical piece for Ohio State.

Overall, Staples is correct that Penn State deserves to be in the top five based on their talent and potential, but placing them above Ohio State ignores the Buckeyes’ proven strengths and historical dominance over Penn State. With Day holding a perfect 5-0 record against James Franklin’s Nittany Lions, and just coming off a national championship, Penn State needs to earn it on the field before they get ranked above the Buckeyes, as we just saw how that played out last year in the College Football Playoff's final rankings. Until then, Ohio State should rightfully be ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions.