COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners shakes hands with head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes after the Sooners defeated the Buckeyes 31-16 at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

ESPN analyst says one potential title contender is a 'pretender'

He wasn't shy about his opinion.

Big Ten expert and ESPN analyst Trevor Matich was on SportsCenter Tuesday morning to talk some college football and he did not disappoint. He called one current top 10 team a "pretender" in regards to their chances at getting to the College Football Playoff and it was Ohio State.

He notes their lack of a vertical passing game as to why he doesn't think they'll be a real title contender.

"I have great confidence in Urban Meyer and his staff...but to be a true contender, they have to add the vertical passing game," Matich said.

He did go on to say that he likes what the Buckeyes have done since their loss to Oklahoma in Week 2. However, J.T. Barrett's inability to complete passes deep downfield could be the downfall of this and could make the passing game pretty one-dimensional.

In four games so far this season, Ohio State has completed 14 passes that went for 20 yards or more, seven for 30 yards or more and four for 40 yards or more. Barrett has completed about 63 percent of his passes so far this year for 966 yards and 10 touchdowns against one interception with two touchdowns on the ground as well.

[h/t The Spun]