JP’s Thoughts
“No good! He hooked it!”
Watching 96-year-old Stetson Bennett celebrate on the sidelines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium has haunted my nightmares since the season ended shortly after Midnight on New Years Eve.
Stroud is gone, and Ohio State will have to experience what life is like without a 2x Heisman finalist.
That’s no easy task.
Let me say it again.
It ain’t easy!
You don’t just replace a player like that…unless you’re Ohio State.
Troy Smith, Braxton Miller, Terrelle Pryor, J.T. Barrett, Justin Fields…just to name a few.
Do I really think whoever goes behind center for the Scarlet & Grey will become a Heisman candidate? Not necessarily.
However, Ohio State has consistently proven to me throughout my life that I can trust whoever they bring in to get the job done.
Why change now?
Whoever steps into that role walks into a pretty darn good situation. Most QB’s (NFL included) would be salivating over the opportunity to have the WR talent Ohio State has in Harrison Jr & Egbuka.
Combine that with the talent at RB and the experience and skill the defensive side of the ball will bring.
It’ll all be fine.
Relax & GO BUCKS!
Jace’s Thoughts
For the first time in my adult life, Ohio State has a question mark at quarterback.
Both quarterbacks are likely to play substantial time at Indiana on Saturday.
Thus, the starting job remains decidedly open.
Will it be Kyle McCord?
Devin Brown?
A sudden eighth year of eligibility for a 30-something J.T. Barrett?
(It’ll be Kyle McCord.)
The reports of either quarterback being *mid* are greatly exaggerated. Probably.
Like it or not – and I, for one, do not – Ohio State is still an elite program.
And the QB position is simply not going to be a dumpster fire.
That’s fine. That’s more than fine.
I pray what one Michigan beat writer (whose article I can’t find now, dangit) once prayed re: CJ Stroud:
“Please God, just let him be human.”
It’s a fair sentiment. After Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones, JT Barrett, Dwayne Haskins, and Justin Fields, any quarterback who didn’t look invincible was welcome. And, as good as Stroud’s numbers may have been, he looked human. He was vulnerable. He was beatable.
Twice, in fact.
Neither quarterback is going to define their legacy on a Saturday afternoon in Indiana.
They could throw for six touchdowns and I wouldn’t blink. (Have you watched Indiana football. . . ever?)
But they might answer the question of vulnerability.
If either of them struggles – even remotely – against a bad Hoosier team? They’re human.
If either of them struggles more than a little? They’re vulnerable.
And it’d be a darn shame for that school in Columbus to have a QB controversy on their hands.
You hate to see it.
