For the first time in two years, the Ohio State Buckeyes will start someone other than Julian Sayin at quarterback. When the Buckeyes return from the bye week, they will have someone new under center against USC. It's likely going to be Luke Fahey, although Ryan Day hasn't officially named a starter yet.
With a backup starting, Day knows that he has to help his guys the best he can. Neither Fahey nor Tavien St. Clair is as talented as Sayin. That means he has to make things easy for them. Day gave some hints as to how he is going to help the new guy succeed.
Ryan Day gives hints as to how Ohio State will help the new quarterback
While speaking on the Ryan Day Show, Day was asked by Jim Lachey how to help the new guy be successful in a difficult situation. Day gave some hints as to how they will do that.
"We've got good pieces around him. So what's the first thing? We've got to make routine plays routine. We've got to stay on schedule. We can't take negative plays. And then we've got to convert in the red zone, on third down, and in two-minute situations. That will be all in consideration for whoever starts in the first game."
Day refused to say that Fahey was the starter in the game against the Trojans, even though that's how the depth chart has been oriented all year. Still, he understands that the Buckeye coaching staff has to make things easier for the new starter. Converting in those areas will only help the offense have less pressure on it.
Ohio State understands that giving easy plays to the new quarterback is paramount to them having increased confidence. That confidence will bear fruit later in the game when things get tough. The work that is done in the next two weeks will underscore that.
Ryan Day dodges who will start against USC
As noted before, Day did not outright say who the starting quarterback will be against USC. He mentioned earlier that both Fahey and St. Clair will get first-team reps in the first couple of days of practice to see if there is any movement on the depth chart before next week.
I would be shocked if TSC actually got the call. There is a reason that Fahey has been the backup all year long, even as a true freshman. If St. Clair was ready for this opportunity in his second year with the team, he would have been the guy to finish the game against the Hoosiers.
Regardless, Day always likes to withhold information until the last second. There likely won't be any official announcement until early next week, if there is one at all. There's a chance he doesn't say anything until the first snap against the Trojans next Saturday night.
Ohio State has won a title with a backup quarterback before, but this is a much different scenario than the 2014 team was in. It's going to take everyone to rally around the new guy and get wins in the toughest part of the schedule.
Add us as a preferred source on Google