Why Ohio State Letting QB Competition Run into Regular Season Makes Sense

The Ohio State Buckeyes have not named a starting quarterback yet and may wait until a few games into the regular season.

Author:
Harrison Reno
Jun 3, 2023 3:30 PM EDT

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Does Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day have a sense of who he will start at quarterback come September 2 when they open the season against Indiana?

Ex-Buckeye quarterback and current ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit doesn't think so. In a recent interview with ON3's JD Pickell, Herbstreit was asked about the ongoing quarterback competition in Columbus and gave a surprising answer when talking about when the starter could be named.

"I think [Ryan Day will] go into summer, he'll have those scrimmages, and then I wouldn't be shocked if they used the first two or three games to kind of let these guys maybe play it out."

Letting both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown get in-game reps during the first few games would be a good way to see which signal-caller is ready to be the full-time starter. Herbstreit mentioned that having a competition undecided heading into the season isn't uncommon, as even Michigan had it happen last season before naming J.J. McCarthy their full-time starter.

Ohio State's schedule certainly allows for more breathing room before having to make the tough decision of who will be the quarterback. After opening the season versus Indiana, the Buckeyes will host Youngstown State in their home opener before having Western Kentucky come into town the next week.

That means the Buckeyes will want to have their starter in place before heading on the road to face Notre Dame on September 23rd.

Through spring practice, only the Buckeyes know what they truly have at quarterback, as Brown was unable to participate in the spring game due to a finger injury.

While this can be an advantage for Ohio State, as no future opponents were able to see Brown in a game-like setting, it can also be a disadvantage as Ohio State doesn't know as much about Brown as they do McCord. Brown's injury left McCord and Tristan Gebbia as the only two quarterbacks for fans to watch in the annual Scarlet and Gray game.

While having a starter named before Week 1 is the ideal scenario, the Buckeyes don't need to rush the competition. If the coaching staff doesn't feel confident in choosing one over the other, then letting them split snaps becomes another point of evaluation.