Chris Wilds
Julian Sayin hasn’t taken a collegiate snap as a starting quarterback, yet he’s already at the center of one of college football’s most heated debates: the enduring myth of SEC supremacy versus the undeniable rise of Big Ten power. Once celebrated as the future face of Alabama football, Sayin has quickly become the subject of criticism and skepticism—not due to performance, but because he traded crimson for scarlet and gray.
Recently, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum—a long-standing voice for the Southeastern Conference—offered a pointed assessment of Ohio State and its new signal-caller. “I think the Buckeyes are overrated,” Finebaum said. “I think Julian Sayin is a good quarterback, but I don’t know if he’s ready to take on what you have to do to win a national championship.”
This is the same Julian Sayin who, just months ago, headlined Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class as the No. 1 quarterback in the 247Sports Composite. Known for his elite accuracy, poised decision-making, and natural leadership, Sayin was praised as one of the most complete quarterback prospects in recent memory. But now—simply because he’s wearing an Ohio State uniform—his readiness is in question?
Let’s be clear: Sayin hasn’t regressed. He hasn’t lost his arm strength, field vision, or football IQ. What changed was his choice to join a program that prioritizes results over rhetoric. At Ohio State, Sayin steps into a system built for quarterback success. He’s surrounded by future NFL talent, and he’s learning under head coach Ryan Day, who has developed elite quarterbacks like Dwayne Haskins, C.J. Stroud, and Justin Fields into first-round NFL draft picks.
Early reports from Columbus suggest Sayin is already turning heads. Veterans like Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson have praised his poise and work ethic, seeing him as the next leader of the Buckeye offense. He’s not simply learning the playbook—he’s absorbing the expectations and preparing to lead a team that has national championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, the SEC’s long-held image of dominance is beginning to erode. For two consecutive seasons, the conference has failed to capture a national championship. Alabama missed the College Football Playoff entirely in 2024. Georgia was physically overmatched. Programs once considered perennial powers—LSU, Florida, Auburn, and Texas A&M—are now struggling to maintain relevance.
Contrast that with Ohio State, which captured the national title in 2024 and enters the 2025 season with one of the deepest and most complete rosters in the country. With Sayin now in the fold, the Buckeyes are a legitimate contender to repeat.
So why the skepticism? Because Sayin’s decision to leave the SEC challenged the narrative. When he was committed to Alabama, he was lauded as the next great quarterback in college football. But the moment he flipped to Ohio State, the national media’s tone shifted. It’s not an objective evaluation—it’s a reflection of bias.
The truth is, Julian Sayin remains every bit the elite talent he was projected to be. He possesses the tools, the mindset, and now the platform to excel at the highest level. And he’s doing it in a program that doesn’t need media favoritism to succeed. Ohio State wins on the field, not through perception.
So go ahead—question his readiness. Question Ohio State’s chances. But when January arrives, don’t be surprised if Julian Sayin is the one leading the Buckeyes to another national championship—this time, in scarlet and gray.
Chris Wilds is a contributor to The Ohio Podcast. Follow him on X @TheWildmanOSU.
