Ohio State Football: Buckeyes have best 1-2 punch in college football
There’s no doubt there are outstanding QB combos on other teams contending for a CFP spot, but the best 1-2 punch is on the Ohio State football team.
Alabama and Clemson each have two terrific quarterbacks on their rosters and much has been written about those players. However, the 1-2 punch at the quarterback position on the Ohio State football team form the best combo in college football.
The Crimson Tide has Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, the Tigers have Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence. All would start for nearly every team in the country, but I would still take Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell over either of those two tandems.
First I’ll take a look at the stats the players have put up the first two games to build my case, beginning with the Alabama quarterbacks.
Tua Tagovailoa: 25-35 passing (71.4 percent) 455 yards and 6 touchdowns. 9 carries for 46 yards and 1 TD.
Jalen Hurts: 12-18 passing (66.7 percent) 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. 8 carries for 41 yards.
Totals
Passing: 37-53 (69.8 percent) 618 yards and 8 touchdowns
Rushing: 17 carries for 87 yards and 1 TD
Total offense: 705 yards and 9 touchdowns
Now for the Clemson quarterbacks:
Kelly Bryant: 22-33 passing (66.7 percent) 332 yards and 2 touchdowns. 20 carries for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns
Trevor Lawrence: 14-24 passing (58.3 percent) 230 yards and 4 touchdowns. 5 carries for 7 yards.
Totals
Passing: 36-57 (63.1 percent) 562 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Rushing: 25 carries for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Total offense: 681 yards and 8 touchdowns
Now a look at the numbers the Ohio State quarterbacks have put up so far:
Dwayne Haskins: 42-53 passing (79.2 percent) 546 yards and 9 touchdowns. 4 carries for 15 yards.
Tate Martell: 13-14 passing (02.9 percent) 154 yards and 1 TD. 10 carries for 99 yards and 1 TD.
Totals
Passing: 55-67 (82 percent) 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Rushing: 14 carries for 114 yards.
Total offense: 814 yards and 11 touchdowns.
It’s obvious the stats Buckeye quarterbacks have combined for are better than the other tandems, but how have each of their offenses performed? Let’s take a look.
Ohio State: 64.5 ppg, No. 2 in total offense
Alabama: 54 ppg, No. 19 in total offense
Clemson: 38 ppg and No. 39 in total offense
More from Ohio State Buckeyes
- Ohio State Football: Lee Corso celebrates his 400th head gear, tradition that began with Brutus
- Win $250 GUARANTEED Bonus Betting on Ohio State This Week at Caesars Sportsbook
- Bet365 Ohio Promo: Bet $1 on Buckeyes in Week 2, Win $200 Bonus!
- DraftKings + FanDuel Ohio Promos: Bet $10 on OSU vs. Indiana, Win $400 Bonus GUARANTEED!
- Ohio State names Ted Carter as it’s 17th school President
And while Ohio State hasn’t exactly faced juggernauts in Oregon State and Rutgers, at least both play in Power 5 conferences. Alabama played Arkansas State last Saturday and Clemson began their season playing Furman.
If the stats alone don’t convince you the Buckeyes have the best quarterback combo in college football, factor this in.
Dwayne Haskins is a quarterback who would rather beat you with his arm than try to do so with his legs. Martell makes a defense have to worry about the QB run when he enters the game. However, with Martell’s improved accuracy throwing the football coach Ryan Day doesn’t need to change the offense when he comes into the game, just tweak it a little.
dark. Next. Who’s hot and who’s not in the Big Ten
I’m sure there are other teams with two fine quarterbacks but I doubt they form better combos than the ones at Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson. After looking at how those outstanding players have performed so far this season, and what each brings to the table, I think the Buckeyes have the best 1-2 punch at QB in college football.