The Ohio State Buckeyes are one away from entering the College Football Playoff unbeaten at 13-0. To do so, they must beat the also unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers, as Saturday marks the first Big Ten title game to feature the two best teams in the country against each other.
During his extensive rounds of media this week, coach Ryan Day has publicly stated his case for his quarterback, Julian Sayin, to win the Heisman Trophy.
“I think he has the highest completion percentage ever for a college football player or something,” Day said on "Bussin' With The Boys." "Someone told me that. His accuracy is off the charts. We have great receivers, but that’s not his fault. He doesn’t miss those throws by much, you know? Carnell [Tate] did a great job on routes with separation, and Jeremiah [Smith] did the same."
Day said he is particularly impressed with Sayin's ability as a leader despite his inexperience as a starter entering this season. Sayin has had a banner regular-season with 30 touchdowns and a QBR of 90.4, per ESPN.
"He’s got composure, and he has a toughness about him," Day said. "I think he really hadn’t really played a game in the elements. He had been practicing in it, but for him to handle that with the snow going sideways and just the way he played… scrambling for a first down and getting big third downs… he was excellent. I just think he’s got some special gifts about him.”
Those "gifts" we need to be on full display to frustrate a Hoosiers defense continuing to prove themselves week by week.
Day says this past Saturday, Sayin took a big step forward with a 27-9 win against the Michigan Wolverines.
“But those balls are on the money," Day said. "He is just really, really accurate. And I think he has a special gift, in terms of his intelligence. Being around him everyday, he’s intelligent. He can handle high levels of information fast. I thought in ‘The Game’, they did a great job with disguise there and they got him on that one. But there was no panic, because I know exactly what he saw and went right back at it."
If Sayin can show out again, a five-year conference championship drought will be snapped, and it will show Ohio State was as good as advertised all year long.
And, if the Hoosiers can hang in there, anything is possible. After all, Lucas Oil Stadium has had its fair share of classics.
Saturday night may be another.
We'll soon find out.