Paul Finebaum shares insight on Ohio State quarterback battle

Time is ticking for Ryan Day to choose Ohio State‘s next starting quarterback.

Heading into the second weekend of fall camp, SEC analyst Paul Finebaum believes Kyle McCord has a slight edge over Devin Brown in the race and it’ll likely stay that way heading into the season. Either way, Finebaum says the Buckeyes will have a common denominator regardless of which QB is chosen.

“I think it’s going to be Kyle McCord, although it’s very close, but I’m not sure it’s as critical as maybe we are making it out to be,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter on Saturday morning. “Now, everyone knows the path of the last couple of years, with Dwayne Haskins and obviously Justin Fields, and you mentioned CJ Stroud, but what they are so good at, what the Buckeyes are so good at, is the wide receiver room. I mean, it’s the best in the country with Marvin Harrison Jr. and so many other targets.

“So I think McCord wins the job. They have a fairly difficult schedule in September, including Notre Dame late in the month, but I think either one is very good.

McCord, a former five-star recruit in the 2021 class, 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 — a five-star recruit out of the 2022 class — has proved his worth, making 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 Ohio State’s spring showcase. Still, it’s not enough of a sample size to say Brown is down for the count at this point in fall camp.

Still, Day only has a handful of practices left until a choice needs to be made. There’s always the option of trying both McCord and Brown against Indiana in the season opener on Sept. 2, though a two-quarterback isn’t something Ohio State has done historically. Even without a starter named, the Buckeyes are four-touchdown favorites over the Hoosiers on the road.