Ken Ruinard / staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Paul Finebaum Calls College Football Powerhouse Overrated in AP Preseason Poll

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 5:14 PM ET

As college football gears up for kickoff, the most anticipated preseason AP Top 25 poll finally arrived on Monday.

Leading the pack was Texas, followed by Penn State at No. 2, Ohio State at No. 3⁠, Clemson at No. 4 and Georgia rounding out the top five.

This represents a subtle yet meaningful shift from the coaches’ preseason poll released last week, which had Texas, Ohio State and Penn State in the top three, in that order⁠.

On SportsCenter on Monday, Paul Finebaum challenged the prevailing narrative, stating, "Texas is everybody’s No. 1 and then you just can’t figure out between Ohio State and Penn State. I can figure it out pretty easily. Penn State should be the No. 2 team. I think Ohio State is still overrated at that No. 3 position. I don’t know what people are seeing."

What's Fueling Finebaum's Take on Ohio State?

There are several factors contributing to Finebaum's belief that Ohio State is overrated:

Departures and Turnover: Ohio State faces significant roster turnover. Key departures include starting quarterback Will Howard, star defenders like Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, plus impact contributors on offense, such as Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins and tight end Gee Scott Jr., among others.
Quarterback Uncertainty: While the Buckeyes return national-level talent like receiver Jeremiah Smith and All-American safety Caleb Downs⁠, the starting quarterback remains unsettled. The battle between five-star Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz looms large.
Pressure of Sustained Consistency: On Sunday, Finebaum, referencing Ohio State's history, questioned whether they can maintain peak performance stretch after stretch, especially in the expanded 12-team playoff format. "Can this team put two or three wins together in a row?" he asked, echoing past criticisms about inconsistency, even during their championship run⁠.

Preseason rankings like the AP poll help frame the national conversation. With Penn State rising above Ohio State in voter sentiment, Finebaum's remarks reinforce a narrative shift in the Big Ten’s title race.

The opener on August 30 in Columbus, featuring No. 1 Texas versus No. 3 Ohio State, or arguably No. 2 in some eyes, takes on even greater significance.

As the season approaches, expect this storyline to only intensify.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: