Anonymous Big Ten coach says quarterback is the 'biggest question' for Ohio State

Ohio State‘s Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are the two quarterbacks in contention to replace Heisman finalist CJ Stroud — but according to one Big Ten coach, neither will be able to carry the torch as brightly as Stroud did over the past two season.

The coach, who remains anonymous, put the state of the Buckeyes’ program bluntly. Pound-for-pound, there aren’t many better than Ohio State, but whoever takes over under center will be the difference maker between another College Football Playoff run and a disappointing finish to the season.

“The biggest question, obviously, is who ends up replacing Stroud. The reality is that neither of the two guys behind him is that kind of quarterback,” the coach said, via Athlon Sports. “They’re just not going to be as good here, but that doesn’t mean the sky is falling. This could be a year where they’re out of the playoff race but course-correct and beat Michigan.”

“This is the only roster in the league that could’ve beat Georgia last year. The talent they have matches the SEC at every position group, year in and year out. The perspective is the problem because if you lose to Michigan, the season is a bust. The program is in great hands, and (Ryan) Day is a top-tier head coach. It’s just the standard is what it is.”

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McCord was the only one of the two that was able to suit up for the spring game earlier this year, and used the opportunity to complete 18-of-34 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown. Even more, McCord is entering his third season in Day’s offense and to that regard, his experience trumps Brown’s in every way.

Still, there’s a reason Day hasn’t named McCord the official starter, and it’s because Brown has made it difficult to rule him as the clear backup. He’s an athletic option, but hasn’t been able to show off his arm talent the way that McCord was able to during last month’s spring showcase. Regardless of Brown’s injury status, Day likes what he has with his top two options under center.

Expect Day to take his time naming the official starter. Two years ago, Day and his coaching staff waited until late August to officially name Stroud, who was then a redshirt freshman, as the starter for the 2021 season. The same thing happened with Justin Fields in 2019. Both of those ended up working out very nicely for Day and Ohio State.