Skull Session: Julian Sayin is the Best Quarterback in College Football; Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Arvell Reese Are Out of This World

By Chase Brown on November 3, 2025 at 5:00 am
Julian Sayin
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Welcome to the Skull Session.

Ohio State is 8-0.

Have a good Monday.

 INSAYIN’. Folks. Julian Sayin is the Heisman frontrunner, and if I were a betting man, I’d take him over the field.

In Ohio State’s 38-14 win over Penn State, Sayin completed 20 of 23 passes (87%) for 316 yards and four touchdowns. That came two weeks after he completed 36 of 42 passes (85.7%) for a career-high 393 yards and four touchdowns against Wisconsin; three weeks after he completed 19 of 27 passes (70.4%) for 166 yards and two touchdowns against Illinois (this is considered “mid” for Sayin); four weeks after he completed 23 of 27 passes (85.2%) for 326 yards and three touchdowns against Minnesota and five weeks after he completed 22 of 28 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns against Washington.

** inhale ** exhale ** inhale ** exhale **

Here are all of those numbers combined: 120-for-147 (82%) passing for 2,188 yards, 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

That’s not just good — that’s Heisman-level good.

Ryan Day agrees.

“I think there's some really good quarterbacks across the country this year,” Day said. “There are a lot of good quarterbacks in the conference. And so it'll be told when the season's over. I think it's easy to be it whenever Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, and try to make proclamations on where guys are. I think we have to see what the season holds for us and the progress that's made, and then we go from there. And I think even when you look at the Heisman Trophy, it's sort of after the season's over. ... But I do think that if Julian continues to play the way that he's playing, he deserves to be in the conversation at the very least.”

Day tends to lean on coachspeak when he praises his players, and there’s some of that here. But this is essentially Day’s version of — have you seen how my quarterback is performing week after week? Could he be playing any better?

I don’t think so.

Day knows better than anyone that Ohio State’s game plan for Sayin was conservative early in the season. The goal was to win. It was as simple as that. But now, with Sayin emerging as a legitimate Heisman contender, the Buckeyes have let him loose. And what’s happened since? He’s basically your video game character who encounters a beginning-of-game Boss after maxing out every XP tree, enchanting every weapon and upgrading every piece of armor.

There will be tougher Bosses to defeat — namely, Michigan in Ann Arbor, a potential duel with Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game, and a College Football Playoff featuring America’s 12 best teams. But with how Sayin looks entering the home stretch, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping the California Kid — especially when he’s flanked by Aliens like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.

 WR1A, WR1B. With all due respect to Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon, the best wide receivers in college football reside in Columbus – Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.

Smith (six receptions, 123 yards, two touchdowns) and Tate (five receptions, 124 yards, one touchdown) dominated Penn State, combining for 11 catches for 247 yards and three scores. Both receivers had the statistics, but also the theatrics on Saturday. Smith hauled in a one-handed catch that made Gus Johnson use the same call he had when Jeremy Ruckert stuck a pass in the 2018 Big Ten Championship Game.

Meanwhile, Tate showed off insane body control — again.

In Ohio State’s 8-0 start to the season, Smith has 55 catches, 725 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns, while Tate has 39 catches, 711 receiving yards and seven total scores.

“If there’s two better wide receivers in the country, I’d like to see them,” Day said of Smith and Tate after the game.

Me too!

 ARVELL REESE, EXTRATERRESTRIAL. An Arvell Reese Appreciation Section™ has become a staple of the Monday Skull Session — and I’m more than fine with that.

Reese is an alien.

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker had a team-leading 12 tackles in Ohio State’s win over Penn State. He embodied the meme of when the Undertaker “teleported” behind AJ Styles, as he lived in the Nittany Lions’ backfield, breathing down the necks of Ethan Grunkemeyer, Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton.

This season, Reese paces the Buckeyes with 54 tackles, nine more than second-leading-tackler Sonny Styles (45). Reese’s nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks rank second behind Caden Curry’s 10.5 and seven.

From The Athletic’s Dane Brugler to The Ringer’s Todd McShay and ESPN’s Mel Kiper, NFL draft analysts continue to drool over Reese’s athleticism and production. If their affections mirror those of NFL personnel — and I am certain they do — Reese will be a top-five pick next April as either he or Miami’s Reuben Bain becomes the first defensive player selected.

 THE BASKETBUCKS ARE BACK. Ohio State has a men’s basketball team, too!

The Basketbucks will host IU Indy for their season opener on Monday. The Buckeyes and Jaguars will tip off at 6:30 p.m. inside Value City Arena. The matchup will be broadcast behind a big, bad paywall on BTN+.

For those who plan to attend the game in which Ohio State is a 29.5-point favorite, according to ESPN Bet, you will have “an upgraded experience” at the Schottenstein Center. That’s what athletic director Ross Bjork and his associates called it in a press release the school shared last week.

“From a new court, to new lighting, to better sound and new food offerings, there will be plenty for fans to explore,” the press release reads.

Here’s a look at all the new stuff:

New Court -- The newly redesigned Ohio State basketball court introduces a recognizable visual update that blends modern aesthetics with nods to tradition. The most noticeable change is the gray hardwood floor. The unique look will set the tone for a refreshed game day atmosphere at the Schottenstein Center.

At center court, fans will see two distinct marks including the traditional Block O and the signature Script Buckeyes featured on the men’s Clark Kellogg era alternate uniforms. These two logos allow for a dynamic visual identity for marquee matchups while maintaining a strong connection to the program’s heritage. For more on the new court, click here.

New Sound System – Since the Schottenstein Center opened in 1998, the sound system had only undergone minor updates and adjustments. Over the summer, the Schottenstein Center installed a completely new system which features several new speaker locations for fuller and more consistent sound throughout the arena. The quality and clarity will be a significant difference from previous years.

Buckeye Fan Cave – The Buckeye Fan Cave will be a new experience at the Schott for fans of any age to enjoy. The new space will allow fans to create memories with friends and family by playing a mix of new and old games. The Buckeye Fan Cave features gaming systems from past to present as well as Bubble Hockey and arcade style games. The area will continue the Schottenstein Center’s focus on providing new and unique experiences for fans to enjoy during breaks in the action.

Concession Upgrades -- The food experience is getting an upgrade this season with many new menu items to try throughout the arena. From a Hot Chicken Texas Toast Sandwich to all new Burrito Bowls and specialty burgers, there’s plenty of new options this season. This year will also include the launch of a feature item that will be an oversized, over the top item that fans won’t want to miss.

Coming Soon: East Market -- A new dining experience is coming to the Schott. Food Hall’s popularity has swept the nation for their casual and social environment. Coming soon, the East Market (located near Section 131) will feature a variety of local restaurants offering their own recipes. Restaurants will rotate throughout the season, so come support local restaurants and try the tastes of the East Market. The Market will continue to offer a Grab N Go experience as well as desserts and a full-service bar.

New Ticket Options -- New this season, Buckeye fans can take advantage of a new ticket package called the Buckeye Bundle! With the Buckeye Bundle, fans can purchase a ticket to select games that includes $10 of value to spend at the concession stands during the game! For more information on purchasing a Buckeye Bundle and other ticket packages, click here.

Regarding the new court, it is one, very cool:

And two, already a promotion tactic for Ohio State, as the Buckeyes will hand out a double-sided replica mini-court to the first 1,500 fans and first 500 students in attendance for the season opener:

Be there or be square!

 DAILY DUBCAST. The first Eleven Dubcast of the week recaps the latest win for Ohio State at the expense of Jim Knowles and Penn State before pondering if the Buckeyes did enough to hold off Indiana from jumping them in the initial CFP rankings.

 SONG OF THE DAY. "Carmen Ohio" - TBDBITL.

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