Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is preparing his team for Week 1 against Ball State. It's a game that will have a lot of festivities behind it, including Senior Day. With less than a week before the game, Day has already established a lot of starters. That's kind of the point.
The offensive line has been figured out, as Ian Moore is the left tackle and Austin Siereveld is the right guard. However, the Buckeyes still have other battles that have yet to be settled. In fact, Day mentioned one specific battle that will still be waged in Week 1 involving the quarterbacks.
Backup quarterback battle still being waged for Ohio State heading into Week 1
During his weekly press conference, Day was asked about the backup quarterback position. Tavien St. Clair and Luke Fahey have been duking it out for the backup spot. Day mentioned that the battle will continue into Week 1, in which both players will likely play.
“We're going to let those guys continue to split reps with the twos this week and see how the week goes. And if we can get them both reps in the game, we'll try to do that. We'll just kind of see how the game goes."
It would be shocking if the Buckeyes didn't get their backup into the game very soon in the second half. This isn't a game that should require a lot of grinding in order to emerge victorious. In fact, I would be surprised if Day didn't find time to put both St. Clair and Fahey in the game at some point.
St. Clair is a former five-star recruit who is supposed to be the heir apparent at that position. Fahey is a much less ballyhooed prospect, as he was just a three-star recruit in the 2026 recruiting class. Yet, it seems that there is still a fight for who will back up Julian Sayin.
Ohio State will play plenty of new faces against Ball State
The two backup quarterbacks aren't the only two new faces that will see playing time against the Cardinals. Several transfers and true freshmen will be getting plenty of time on the field, as well. That includes exciting freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd, whom Day singled out.
Those guys could get run with the starters. Plenty of other freshmen will also be getting playing time in Week 1 in the second half. Guys like Jay Timmons, Khary Wilder, and transfers Dominick Kelly, Cam Calhoun, and Ja'Kobi Jackson could see time to shine in the third quarter.
There isn't much risk of Ohio State losing this game. It would be perhaps the biggest upset in college football since Appalachian State beat TTUN in 2007. Still, there are things that Day wants to be able to accomplish before Week 2 against Texas, which is a monster showdown.
The Buckeyes are the top-ranked team in the country for a reason. Their depth is a big part of that, and they will show that off against Ball State.
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