College Football Analyst Reveals Area of Concern for Ryan Day at Ohio State Next Season
As the 2024 college football season looms, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is looking to maintain the high standards the program has established under his leadership. The Buckeyes are always one of the most talented teams in the nation, consistently contending for national championships, Big Ten titles, and playoff spots. However, as with any powerhouse program, there are always areas that need improvement, and according to a college football analyst, there is one key aspect of the team that could pose a challenge for Day and Ohio State in the upcoming season.
While Ohio State’s talent pool remains deep, particularly on offense, there are concerns that could impact their ability to compete for a national title. According to expert analysis, the area of concern for Ryan Day heading into the 2024 season is the quarterback position.
The Quarterback Dilemma at Ohio State
Over the past few years, Ohio State has been blessed with high-level quarterback play, with stars like Justin Fields and CJ Stroud leading the team to prominent heights. Fields helped lead the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2020, and Stroud continued that tradition, earning Heisman Trophy consideration in 2022 and putting together a dominant career in Columbus. With such talent at the most important position on the field, Ohio State’s offense has been one of the most dangerous in college football.
However, entering the 2024 season, the Buckeyes are dealing with a significant transition. The departure of Stroud to the NFL leaves a massive void at quarterback, one that could be a potential stumbling block for the team as they look to stay atop the college football hierarchy.
Ryan Day, an offensive-minded coach who’s known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, faces the task of replacing a player who is not just an NFL-caliber talent, but someone who was the engine behind one of the most potent offenses in college football over the past two years. With no clear-cut replacement at quarterback yet, Day is dealing with the uncertainty of how Ohio State will fill this critical position and whether the new signal-caller can carry on the tradition of excellence at the helm.
The Contenders: Kyle McCord vs. Devin Brown
The Buckeyes have a couple of promising options at quarterback, with Kyle McCord and Devin Brown both having potential to step into the starting role. McCord, a highly rated recruit and a former five-star quarterback, has already seen some action in 2023 and has the experience advantage. He played in several games last season, including some significant moments when Stroud was unavailable. His performance, while promising, showed both strengths and areas where he could improve, particularly in terms of his consistency and ability to read defenses under pressure. McCord has shown flashes of the kind of talent needed to be a top-tier college quarterback, but whether he can elevate his game to the level that Ohio State fans and coaches expect remains to be seen.
On the other hand, Devin Brown is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who possesses a unique skill set that could give him an edge. His ability to extend plays with his legs and make off-schedule throws makes him an intriguing option for Day, who thrives with mobile quarterbacks. However, Brown’s experience is more limited compared to McCord’s, and while he has shown promise in practice and scrimmages, it’s unclear if he can handle the pressure of being the starter for such a high-profile program in big games.
Both players have their strengths, but neither has the proven track record that CJ Stroud brought to the table. The question remains whether either McCord or Brown will rise to the occasion or if Ryan Day and Ohio State will be left searching for answers at quarterback throughout the season.
The Pressure of Replacing CJ Stroud
Replacing a player like CJ Stroud is no easy feat, and that’s where much of the concern lies for Day and Ohio State. Stroud was a two-time Heisman finalist and one of the most prolific passers in the history of the program. His poise, accuracy, and decision-making were critical in leading the Buckeyes to the brink of a national title in 2022 and keeping them in contention throughout the 2023 season. Stroud’s ability to make big plays under pressure and his leadership in the huddle were foundational to the team’s success.
The transition from Stroud to a new starting quarterback will come with growing pains. Whether it’s McCord or Brown under center, both players will have to prove they can handle the immense pressure of playing for a program with national championship expectations. The Ohio State fanbase has become accustomed to elite quarterback play, and anything less will be seen as a potential weakness.
Ryan Day has been praised for his ability to develop quarterbacks—just look at his success with Stroud and Fields—but even the best coaches face challenges when replacing a star quarterback. Day’s offensive system is designed to put quarterbacks in favorable situations, but the execution of that system rests heavily on the quarterback’s ability to make quick decisions, read defenses, and execute under pressure. The Buckeyes will need their next quarterback to step up quickly and show that he can continue Ohio State’s tradition of excellence at the position.
The Stakes: Big Ten and National Championship Aspirations
Ohio State enters the 2024 season with its usual high expectations. The Buckeyes are perennial contenders in the Big Ten, and their sights are set on returning to the College Football Playoff and competing for a national championship. However, the uncertainty at quarterback raises questions about whether the team can maintain its elite status with a new starter under center.
The Big Ten remains a competitive conference, with teams like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin all improving and positioning themselves to challenge Ohio State. While the Buckeyes boast a stacked roster with talent on both sides of the ball, the quarterback position is undeniably the most critical factor in determining how far they will go. A dominant defense and a strong running game can carry a team far, but in today’s college football landscape, having an elite quarterback is often the key to winning it all.
If McCord or Brown struggles early on, Ohio State’s path to a Big Ten title and a playoff berth could become much more complicated. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes can ill afford to have a season of growing pains at the quarterback position, as the competition in both the conference and nationally remains fierce.
Ryan Day’s Focus: Developing the Quarterback Position
For Ryan Day, the focus during the offseason will be squarely on developing his new quarterback. While Ohio State has an embarrassment of riches at other positions, Day’s expertise will be tested in how well he can mold McCord or Brown into the next great Buckeye quarterback. The pressure to replicate the success of Stroud and Fields is significant, but Day is known for his ability to adapt his offensive schemes to fit the skill set of his quarterback.
In many ways, the 2024 season will be a defining one for Ryan Day. His ability to develop the next generation of Ohio State quarterbacks will be under scrutiny, and how he handles the situation will be critical for the program’s long-term success. If Day can work his magic and find the right combination of coaching and game management, Ohio State could continue its reign as one of college football’s elite teams. However, if the quarterback play falters, it could derail their hopes of contending for a national championship.