Joel Klatt explains why he has Ohio State ranked as No. 1 team in his Preseason Top-25

With the release of his Preseason Top-25, Joel Klatt gave the top spot to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Klatt released that poll in an episode of his show on Monday. The Buckeyes earned his rating as the No. 1 team in the nation because of their roster. Not only do they have plenty of names through recruiting in the portal and at the prep level but they also retain 16 starters, including nine from their defense, from last fall when they went 11-2 for the third consecutive year.

“Five straight top-five recruiting classes means that there’s no shortage of talent in Columbus. Then they brought in what I describe as the best transfer class in the country because of what they got – Caleb Downs at safety, Quinshon Judkins at running back, Will Howard,” noted Klatt.

“What they brought back? This is the most important part for Ohio State,” Klatt stated. “This feels eerily similar to what Michigan did last offseason, which is all of their important contributors who had a decision to make about the NFL chose to go back to Michigan. Guess what happened in Columbus? Almost every single one of these guys that had a decision to make that was a bonafide top two or three pick like Marvin Harrison Jr. came back to Ohio State. They have not just the talent but the veteran talent.”

When you combine all of that together, Ohio State makes the case as the best all-around team in the nation. Their offense will certainly have a chance to get back to being one of the best units in the country, especially after the hire of OC Chip Kelly. They’ll then pair that will a defense that Klatt has as the best in the sport.

“They bring in Chip Kelly to run the offense,” said Klatt. “That run game is going to be insane with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.”

“I think that Ohio State is going to have the best defense in college football,” continued Klatt. “They’ve got a great front four, their linebackers are athletic, and it’s the best secondary in all of college football. Not many people are scoring on Ohio State – not many.”

Talent hasn’t been the issue for the Buckeyes, though. They’re obviously going to have to play well throughout the season to accomplish what they eventually want to. However, as it’s been well-documented, much of this season will come down to November 30th in The Game.

“The number one thing that I think worries the Ohio State faithful? Michigan,” Klatt admitted. “Got to get over that one. Got to get over that one.”

Ohio State could likely go on to win the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff without closing with a win over That Team Up North. Still, that has become a lot of what matters in this season considering they’ve lost three straight to the Wolverines.

Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have been building up for this season as one of the best in the country with what all happened this offseason. It’s now about making good on all that by being a top contender, if not the eventual champion, in 2024.