Paul Finebaum Makes Bold Prediction About Ohio State Buckeyes Football Team Ahead Of High-Stakes, Championship-Or-Bust 2025 College Season

Paul Finebaum Makes Bold Prediction About Ohio State Buckeyes Football Team Ahead Of High-Stakes, Championship-Or-Bust 2025 College Season

Paul Finebaum is no stranger to making headlines, especially when it comes to college football’s most polarizing programs. Known for his outspoken nature and deep connections across the Southeastern Conference, the longtime ESPN analyst has recently turned his attention to the Big Ten and, more specifically, the Ohio State Buckeyes. With the 2025 season looming, Finebaum dropped a prediction that has stirred excitement and debate in equal measure: Ohio State will not only make the College Football Playoff, but will win the national championship.

Such a statement isn’t made lightly, especially coming from a voice that has often been critical of Big Ten powers when compared to their SEC counterparts. Yet, Finebaum’s tone was confident and unwavering during a recent segment on his nationally syndicated show. While he acknowledged the challenges ahead for Ryan Day’s program, he believes this Buckeye team has all the tools necessary to not only return to the playoff but to dominate once they’re there.

The boldness of the claim lies in both context and timing. Ohio State is coming off a 2024 season that was, by the program’s standards, disappointing. A late-season loss to Michigan again cost them a Big Ten title shot and temporarily put their national reputation under fire. Ryan Day faced criticism—some fair, some overblown—for falling short in the biggest games, despite boasting one of the most talented rosters in the country. Now, entering the 2025 season, the Buckeyes have something to prove, and Finebaum believes that chip on their shoulder will be the difference.

Central to Finebaum’s prediction is the belief that Ohio State’s roster is not only loaded with elite talent but finally balanced in a way that gives them an edge over even the best in the SEC. Over the years, the Buckeyes have consistently produced elite quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs, but they’ve often lacked dominant interior line play or depth in the trenches to compete at the highest level. According to Finebaum, that’s no longer a concern.

“I think this is the most complete Ohio State team we’ve seen under Ryan Day,” Finebaum said. “They’ve always had flash, but now they have grit. This team is built to win in the postseason, not just the regular season.”

Much of the optimism surrounding Ohio State begins with its quarterback situation. After years of quarterback continuity—from Justin Fields to C.J. Stroud and others—the Buckeyes now feature a talented, experienced leader who has been battle-tested. With an offensive line returning multiple starters and a backfield that includes one of the most explosive tailbacks in the country, Ohio State’s offense projects to be as potent as ever.

But it’s the defense that Finebaum points to as the real difference-maker. In his view, the 2025 version of the Buckeyes will be defined not by explosive scoring plays, but by their ability to dominate on defense. Led by a potential top-five NFL Draft pick on the defensive line and a deep linebacker corps, Ohio State is expected to have one of the best defensive units in the nation. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, now fully entrenched and with multiple recruiting classes under his system, has crafted a scheme that mixes aggression with discipline.

“This defense has teeth,” Finebaum noted. “They’re not just athletic; they’re smart, physical, and experienced. That’s what separates championship teams from playoff teams.”

Another key factor in Finebaum’s prediction is the evolution of the Big Ten itself. With USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington now officially part of the conference, the regular season schedule for top teams has become significantly more challenging. Ohio State’s 2025 slate is no cakewalk, with road games against Oregon and Penn State, and a season finale against Michigan looming as always. Still, Finebaum views the tougher schedule as a net positive, preparing the Buckeyes for what they’ll face in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

“It’s trial by fire, and I think it’s going to forge this team into something dangerous,” Finebaum said. “They won’t be walking into the playoff untested. They’ll be ready.”

Of course, not everyone is sold on Finebaum’s vision. Critics argue that Ryan Day still needs to prove he can win when it matters most. Despite his impressive overall record, the losses to Michigan and postseason stumbles have created doubt in some corners of Buckeye Nation. Finebaum, however, believes Day is due.

“Ryan Day has taken heat, and some of it he deserves,” he admitted. “But this guy is a brilliant offensive mind and a relentless recruiter. I think he’s going to answer every question in 2025.”

Beyond the field, Ohio State is also well-positioned to take advantage of NIL dynamics and transfer portal flexibility. The Buckeyes have embraced the new age of college football, building strong infrastructure to support their athletes and maintain roster continuity. Finebaum cited this as another reason for his championship prediction: “You don’t just need talent—you need stability, culture, and vision. Ohio State checks all those boxes.”

Perhaps the most intriguing part of Finebaum’s prediction is that it places Ohio State above not just Michigan or Penn State, but also ahead of perennial SEC powerhouses like Georgia and Alabama. For years, Finebaum has been closely associated with SEC dominance, so for him to elevate a Big Ten school to national title favorite status is a dramatic shift in tone.

“I still love what Georgia is doing. Alabama under Kalen DeBoer is going to be dangerous. But this year, Ohio State just feels like the team,” he said.

This level of praise from Finebaum has caught the attention of fans and media alike, especially those in Columbus who have grown weary of national media doubt. While Ohio State is used to being in the playoff conversation, the label of “national champion favorite” from someone with SEC credentials gives the Buckeyes a kind of validation they haven’t always received.

Whether or not Finebaum’s prediction proves true, it undeniably raises the stakes for Ohio State heading into the 2025 season. Expectations were already sky-high, but this proclamation places even more pressure on the coaching staff and players to deliver. Every game will be scrutinized, every performance dissected. The target on Ohio State’s back just got bigger.

Yet for a program like Ohio State, that may be exactly the kind of motivation it needs. The Buckeyes thrive on pressure. They are built to handle expectations, and this team, in particular, seems to be fueled by the hunger to finally get over the hump. For seniors who’ve come close in past seasons, and for underclassmen eager to leave a mark, the 2025 campaign represents a chance at redemption—and glory.

In a sport that thrives on passion, predictions, and pageantry, Finebaum’s comments will add fuel to the fire. They will be bulletin-board material for opponents and a rallying cry for Buckeye fans. But most of all, they will sharpen the focus in Columbus.

Because now, the standard is clear.

Not just beating Michigan.

Not just making the playoff.

A national championship.

Anything less—and this is the expectation Finebaum helped cement—will be considered a disappointment.

For Paul Finebaum to say it out loud signals that the national perception of Ohio State is shifting. The Buckeyes are not just talented; they are feared. And if his prediction holds true, the 2025 season will go down as one of the most memorable in program history.