Ohio State Football: Can Chris Chugunov be relied on if needed?

It’s not something we like to think about but is senior transfer quarterback Chris Chugunov ready to save the day for the Ohio State football team if needed?

A question that often pops up in my head when I see backup quarterback Chris Chugunov run out late in blowout games is whether or not Ohio State could rely on him if needed.

Chugunov saw mop-up duty action again Friday night as Ohio State dominated Northwestern 52-3. He ultimately went 1-of-2 through the air for seven yards and he threw a touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Ruckert.

This was the fifth time Chuganov saw game action this season, completing 12 of his 16 passes overall for 111 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The recent changes to the transfer portal have taken a toll on the Buckeye quarterback room, losing both Tate Martell and Matthew Baldwin this past offseason.

This left transfers Chugunov and Gunnar Hoak remaining. After seven games, Chugunov is the clear No. 2 two quarterback behind Justin Fields.

But the question remains, is Chugunov capable of leading this team if Justin Fields goes down? The answer is, it’s complicated.

The number one thing a backup quarterback has to do when called upon is to be able to effectively run the offense.

Here is what Ryan Day said about him back in August, according to Lettermen Row.

"“[Chugunov] has been here awhile,” head coach Ryan Day said. “He knows what’s going on. He actually had a chance to change his body in the offseason and he’s done a good job, done some good things.”"

So he knows the offense. That’s step one. Does he have the right mindset to be a number two quarterback?

Here is what Chugunov said to Eleven Warriors back in March.

"“I’m going to compete every day, and also excel off the field and set myself up for when football’s over. But while I’m here, I just do whatever they ask me to do.”"

So he has the right mindset. That’s step two. Does he have experience?

His best game was earlier this season against Miami where he was 6-of-7 passing for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

Chugunov made some really nice reads in that game, especially finding running back Marcus Crowley for an easy seven-yard score. But he also had the guts to throw one up to Garret Wilson in the end zone for 38 yards that resulted in six.

Chugunov has also started big games in his college career not for the Scarlet and Gray.

In 2017 while a member of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Chugunov started a game at Oklahoma and a home game against Texas in back-to-back weeks. He was 24-of-46 for 326 yards and one touchdown compared to zero interceptions in those two games.

So he does have some big-game experience. That’s step three.

Most importantly however, let’s also not overlook the fact that if needed, he would have the services of J.K. Dobbins, Chris Olave, Austin Mack, Binjimen Victor, K.J. Hill, Garret Wilson and Master Teague.

With skill position players like that, Chugunov would just need to run the show. Something I believe he is very capable of doing.

The bottom line is this. Let’s hope Justin Fields stays healthy, but if needed to close out a game or beat Rutgers Chug is very capable of doing that.