50 For 50: Is Julian Sayin The Answer At Quarterback?

Welcome to our daily feature that I am calling “50 for 50” where I attempt to get us to Big Ten Media Days — which are 25 days away — with a daily sampling of what we can look forward to this upcoming college football season. Today’s edition features Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, cornerback Jermaine Mathews, and more.

As always, we will do this via the following categories: the 50 biggest individual matchups for the Buckeyes this season, the 50 most important college football games this season, 50 Buckeye things to look forward to this season, 50 national predictions, 50 Big Ten predictions, and 50 predictions involving the Buckeyes.

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Biggest Buckeye Matchups

OHIO STATE CB JERMAINE MATHEWS VS. ILLINOIS WR HUDSON CLEMENT

This is an under-the-radar matchup in the Big Ten, but it could decide the game. Hudson Clement transferred over from West Virginia where he led the Mountaineers last year with 51 catches for 741 yards and five touchdowns. The Illini have to replace their top two guys, and quarterback Luke Altmyer is looking for a new favorite target. Jermaine Mathews has All-American potential, which is usually bad news for Illinois quarterbacks. This should be a fun matchup to watch in what will be a big game for both teams.

Most Important Games

MIAMI HURRICANES AT FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES, OCT. 4

It’s ’90s night in Tallahassee. Everybody wear your Zubaz and get ready to see which of these dynasties is 2 legit, 2 legit 2 quit. America will be rooting for Florida State because nobody enjoys seeing the Seminoles go 2-10 like they did last year. Miami has an open week before and after this game. If they win, that’s a full week and a half of gloating before they end up losing at home to Louisville their next time out.

Things To Look Forward To

DEFENSIVE END BEAU ATKINSON AS A BUCKEYE.

Beau Atkinson was one of the top defensive ends available in the transfer portal after spring ball, which means we don’t really have any idea what he’s going to look like as a Buckeye. He led the Tar Heels in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (12.5) last year as a redshirt sophomore despite starting just once. He’ll contend for a starting job this year, but more importantly, he’s been part of a productive rotation during his career, so he should fit right in with what the Buckeyes are planning this season.

National College Football Predictions

THREE CLEMSON WRS WILL POST 7+ TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS.

From my extensive research of the last 20 years of Clemson football, no Tigers team has ever had three wide receivers catch at least seven touchdown passes in a season. (You really only need to go back 20 years when researching passing superlatives because of the way the game has changed.) Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco, and TJ Moore may be the most proven wide receiver trio in the nation. They combined for 21 touchdowns last year. This year, they’ll combine for more than that, but each of them will have at least seven. By the way, the last time the Buckeyes managed to do this was 2021. They missed having four receivers do it in 2018 when KJ Hill finished with six touchdown receptions.

Big Ten Football Predictions

OREGON IS MAKING THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF.

A non-conference schedule of Montana State, Oklahoma State, and Oregon State is a murderer’s row of fallback schools. The only game they may be an underduck in is the September 27 trip to Penn State in a White Out. If they win that one, they’ll coast into the playoffs. If they don’t, they just need to not lose at Iowa or Washington or trip up at home against teams they’ll be favored to beat by at least a touchdown.

Ohio State Football Predictions

JULIAN SAYIN WILL WIN THE QUARTERBACK COMPETITION.

This is not the boldest prediction, but it is time that I put it in writing that I am predicting Julian Sayin to win the job. I think Lincoln Kienholz will 100% get a fair shake in fall camp, but it’s just too difficult for me to shake what Sayin’s former teammates said about him this past February at the NFL Combine. They believe he is next up, so who am I to argue?

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