Pat McAfee: Ohio State's defense is 'carrying' No. 1 team in the country right now

Pat McAfee is confident in Ohio State continuing its undefeated season, but it’s in large part to the Buckeyes’ defense this year.

The offense has been hit and miss this year, but still has plenty of talent. But the defense is one of, if not the best in the country.

If anything is different about Ohio State in 2023, it’s the improvements from the hard-hitting defense.

“They’re getting overrated (chants) behind us because Georgia is ranked number two, obviously and Ohio State’s ranked number one even though (Georgia’s) won back to back national championships,” McAfee said on College GameDay. “And I think the thing about this Ohio State team is a different Ohio State team than it was last year. Their defense is what is carrying the entire team here. No. 2 scoring defense in the country, they’re top five in basically every single statistic that matters when it comes to defensive football. 

“Then you pair that with TreVeyon Henderson, who’s come back. In the last two weeks he’s had 415 yards and two touchdowns. I think it’s gonna be one where Ohio State is hunting a shutout and I don’t think Michigan State’s gonna be on the field that much at all.”

Ohio State remained No. 1 overall in the College Football Playoff rankings this week. The goes on the line again against Michigan State Saturday.

Ryan Day says Ohio State No. 1 ranking means nothing

When it comes down to it, though, there are three more reveals before the final rankings come out. That means a lot could happen on the football field and change the top four dramatically.

That’s why Ryan Day said the Buckeyes know the initial No. 1 ranking doesn’t necessarily mean anything. It’s all about what happens with the final reveal on Dec. 3.

“I think you have so many guys on our team that have just kind of been through all this before, and they know it means absolutely nothing,” Day said. “Their goal is to win the whole thing and to be the No. 1 team at the end of the year. We want to win them all, and that’s all that matters. At the end, they’ll rank us. But we’re just going to try and win them all, and it continues this Saturday.”

Ohio State entered Week 10 with the best resume of any team ranked in the first CFP top 25. The Buckeyes had top-15 wins over Notre Dame and Penn State, making them the only program to have two such victories.

Going into Week 11, things didn’t change. With a win over Michigan State, Ohio State should maintain its spot.