The Enemy Unveiled: CJ Stroud named OSU's Starter
Via The Athletic:
Redshirt freshman C.J. Stroud will start Ohio State's season opener against Minnesota, head coach Ryan Day announced Saturday. Stroud had been competing with redshirt freshman Jack Miller and true freshman Kyle McCord.
It appears that the rumblings around the QB competition in Columbus were mostly accurate as people pegged Stroud as the frontrunner for the starting job early on. Stroud did play in three games last season and scored on a 48-yard run against Michigan State. Besides that highlight, he has very little in-game experience. He finished the 2021 spring game 16 of 22 for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
If Stroud struggles during the season then perhaps one of the other QBs will take the reins. The first two games for OSU aren't cake walks as they play both Minnesota, who might very well rebound from an awful 2020 season, and then take on Oregon, who have the making of a top-10 team.
Let's hope that Cade can get the better of Stroud when OSU comes to AA in November.
August 21st, 2021 at 12:44 PM ^
With this new kid that reclassified I think they're looking to give one of their top rated qb the firm handshake.
What a terrible spot to be in, right? <PUKE>
Cheers.
August 21st, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^
Who is the last osu qb that wasn’t above average at collegiate level?
August 21st, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
Whoever came before Troy Smith?
August 21st, 2021 at 2:30 PM ^
Herbie.
August 21st, 2021 at 2:35 PM ^
Krenzel, and his consolation prize for not being a world beater was a NC in a pre-spread offense dominated college football and a generational defense to cover for his mistakes.
wish we had Harbaugh in the Tressel days, might have been a close to even battle
August 22nd, 2021 at 12:01 AM ^
Wtf, Harbaugh is not even up to Lloyd's level and you think he'd be even with Tressel?
August 22nd, 2021 at 2:29 PM ^
They called him "3rd row Joe" for a reason
August 22nd, 2021 at 2:29 PM ^
Duplicate post
August 21st, 2021 at 1:21 PM ^
I pray for OSU to have struggles and struggling years. They have never had a horrible season in over 50 years, ever. To the football gods, please I beg you. Please let OSU have a series of horrible seasons.
August 21st, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
Cooper's first year they went 4-6-1 and his second to last year they went 6-6. Then when Fickell was interm they went 6-7. That's about it.
August 21st, 2021 at 4:58 PM ^
Yea, you could add Earle Bruce's last year which was 6-4-1 (prior to the Cooper 4-6-1 debut mentioned above) for a 2-year stint at 10-10-2. You pretty much nail the rest.
Prior to 2008, I had the same take about Michigan. OSU's worst seasons were worse than Michigan's worst season of the prior 40 years. A 6-5 team that still went to a bowl game was the worst season Michigan had between Bump & RR, whereas OSU multiple times was bad enough to not make it to a bowl game.
Those were bitter days.
August 21st, 2021 at 1:33 PM ^
In typical OSU fashion, I’m sure he’ll be in world-beater heisman form by the time Michigan plays them.
August 21st, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^
Nah, it’s more that OSU won’t rely on him much en route to winning every game before us by 40+ points. Harbaugh will prepare a game plan for him, but he’ll get hurt a week before the game, play like crap, then the backup comes in and lights us up for 70.
Nothing bad ever happens to OSU. Even injuries are just Murphy fixing Day’s depth chart fuck-ups.
August 21st, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^
When Dobbins dribbled his fumble it was set in stone. Nothing bad happens to OSU. The are forced to get rid of one of the best most successful coaches they have ever had just to hire one of the best college coaches in the history of the game. If they have made a deal with the devil they are at least getting good value.
August 21st, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
Do you not remember Mike Hart catching his fumble in stride against MSU in 2007?
OSU makes plenty of mistakes, Michigan is just incredibly mistake prone especially against OSU.
In 2016 OSU tried a fake punt in their own territory and didnt get it plus missed 3 field goals.
In 2017 we had them on the ropes and they threw a pass right into Metellus's hands and he dropped it.
In 2018 they muffed a kickoff right before halftime and basically gave Michigan a free score. They also had 12 penalties against them including a sideline penalty just like Michigan in 2016.
In 2019 they muffed a punt.
August 21st, 2021 at 4:22 PM ^
In 2016 OSU tried a fake punt in their own territory and didnt get it plus missed 3 field goals.
No, they went 1 for 3. Missed from 37 and 21. Made from 23.
August 21st, 2021 at 6:09 PM ^
I get it, breaks even out over time type stuff (I think it was Mallet's fumble that Hart picked up for a first down, but the point is the same)
I do remember Metellus's drop, and OKorn overthrowing Evans with nothing but green in front of him on 4th down.
Maybe it's just been such a bad stretch it feels like they get more breaks? I am just ready for a win.
August 22nd, 2021 at 1:35 PM ^
Never forget how in 2017 we win if Barrett doesn't get injured and that OSU should've been stuck with a year or two of Tate Martell at QB but Fields fell into their lap
August 21st, 2021 at 1:36 PM ^
Not surprising at all. Looks as though the freshman McCord has quietly taken over the backup role from the second year Miller.
August 21st, 2021 at 1:49 PM ^
Cade may be better than Stroud but the ohio guy will be running an offense that's QB friendly, catered to his strengths, and focused on scoring while Cade will be running an offense that's FB/TE friendly, catered to propping up the defense, and focused on keeping the other team from scoring. I wonder who'll have the better season?
August 21st, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^
Ah, you make it sound so dismal. You may be right. But with Matt Weiss I'm hoping for more of an open offense, like with Jedd Fisch. It seems like his offense in 2016 happened in another life. I'm hoping Michigan wins by near 30 over Western.
August 21st, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
I too hope Mr. Weiss can convince people that scoring points is a viable way to win football games. And I suspect we'll actually see that at times but I fear when the going gets tough we'll revert to trying to win games in the 20s, kicking FGs and praying the defense can hang on late.
August 21st, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^
Didn't you just love that Army game! Especially seeing how it was the first game of "Speed in Space."
August 21st, 2021 at 3:05 PM ^
That would be exhibit A.
"Hey coach if we get to 30, Army has no chance"
"Where's the fun in that? Let's make it interesting"
August 21st, 2021 at 4:48 PM ^
I just think it's the offensive coaches over the last 4 years, since Jedd Fisch left. I think they weren't able to coach an offense into scoring that much.
August 21st, 2021 at 5:30 PM ^
See that's why Army is exhibit A. Running the ball 90% of the time while averaging less than 3 yards a carry doesn't scream trying to score to me.
August 21st, 2021 at 5:50 PM ^
Tim Drevno was the Offensive Coordinator from 2015 through 2017 but regardless it was Jim Harbaugh's pro-style offense not the Jedd Fisch offense...
August 21st, 2021 at 1:49 PM ^
He's a bum. Fuck Ohio.
August 21st, 2021 at 1:57 PM ^
Shrouded in ketchup the lustful majority ruminating. We shouldn't have to do anything for the neuropathological. Whyyyyyyy. Manifested!!!!
August 21st, 2021 at 2:07 PM ^
Boo this man! But cmon let’s all be serious, he will be a heisman contender around week 4 with all that GD talent around him.
August 22nd, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
OSU's WR and OL depth is sick - especially the WRs
August 21st, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^
McCord is already expected to transfer.
August 21st, 2021 at 3:03 PM ^
Might as well add him to all the pre season heisman watch lists now. Because that’s how this works…
August 21st, 2021 at 3:07 PM ^
I am just predisposed to believe he will be awesome, and if he is not his back up will be. I am hopefully for the day Michigan wins The Game again, but I honestly have no idea when that will be. Especially since Ohio St. fans have essentially turned games in Ann Arbor into neutral site games.
It will be amazing when it finally happens, hopefully sooner than later.
August 21st, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Sad but they'll beat the shit out of us this again year
August 21st, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
i somehow suspect he will be very good, esp in november
August 22nd, 2021 at 2:35 PM ^
That's a given
August 21st, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^
It's OSU. So everything will work out completely in their favor.
The scenario I see in my head is Minnesota starting strong thanks to the home crowd. But naturally, they'll have to settle for field goals and be up 6-0 instead of 14-0. OSU actually has trouble clicking on offense at first and looks surprisingly lost. Then something incredibly stupid will happen, like a pass bouncing straight up off a helmet and into an OSU's receivers hands which then goes for 60 yards. Or the Gopher QB tries to throw an incomplete pass but the ball ricochets off the ref's heal and into the grasp of an OSU defender. Whatever it is, it WILL happen. And that is the point where their offense changes dramatically. OSU's QB then goes on to finish the game 24 of 29 for 535 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Final: OSU 62 Minnesota 13
Already the front runner for the Heisman. Gag me.
August 21st, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
i have no reason to think the Shroud won't step in and do quite well...while he's not going to be Justin Fields right off the hop, I don't see why he would not be as good as any other QB they've had in the last 20 years.
As for transfers, may happen, may not. Again, even if one or two guys transfer, I'd assume that another highly rated recruit will sign with them next year or the year after.
The only thing that changes that is OSU losing on the field or looking completely inept at developing QBs...as long as that train keeps going, recruits will keep committing, just like the WR classes OSU rolls out year after year.
August 21st, 2021 at 4:52 PM ^
McCord is not in a good place. He will be back up to Stroud. When that's done, he will be back up to Ewers. It's expected he will transfer.
August 22nd, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
- Word is out of camp that McCord is very impressive. I believe that Miller may be the first to transfer. I see Ewers taking a red shirt this year and the fight will be on for next spring. I would not sleep on McCord, it could be possible that Ewers could be the eventual transfer candidate. He has a lot of work to do to catch both Stroud and McCord. Day will not give anyone the starting spot. You have to compete to win a spot. The OSU offense is very complex, they demand a lot from the QB position. True freshman under this system just don't have the physical and mental ability to pull it off. An Ewers red shirt would add a little space though in classes. McCord is not going to lay down. Ewers will have to put the work in.....
August 22nd, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
I get what you're saying.
But all things being equal, Ewers is a class better than McCord. His accuracy is nuts, even on the run. He's got great touch. And everything looks effortless to him. I can't see McCord winning out over him. I think McCord will transfer out. And he should probably go this year.
But I will say, Ewers is the highest rated player ever recruited by Ohio St with a perfect score. At the same time, Rashan Gary also had a perfect score, and was the highest rated player ever recruited by Michigan. So maybe McCord will win out somehow.
August 22nd, 2021 at 5:07 PM ^
Ryan Day is concerned about depth and nobody benefits from transferring right now... he has said that everyone will need to evaluate in January. Ewers is not ready to run the offense - he has a minor medical issue and is not practicing for the next week. He will literally have two practices before the minnesota game.
-Jack Miller is gone in January.
-McCord and Ewers both have a higher ceiling than Stroud. Stroud is a solid QB, better than Cardale or JT Barrett, but not quite at Haskins or Fields level. The issue is that he inherits the keys to a Ferrari. Best OL in the country, best WR corp in the country. If he makes it to 2-0, there are 4 cupcakes. It will be hard for him to LOSE the job.
-There will be plenty of garbage time reps in weeks 3-7. Will Ryan Day give some of the reps to Miller to make sure he doesn't quit before January? In reality, they are FAR better spent on McCord or Ewers.
This year Stroud was a foregone conclusion. This year he would have to actively lose the job to Kyle McCord early or McCord/Ewers late. Next year is the likely QBGeddon where he potentially turns into Kelly Bryant.
Ewers is very very good. Elite improvisational abilities and a naturally strong arm. I think everyone should slightly temper the expectations. He is not as far along as Trevor Lawrence was when he was 18 in terms of working through progressions. He can improvise against the best HS teams in the country, he can improvise against the vast majority of the BIG, but he needs time in the system if OSU is going to score 42+ against Alabama, Georgia, or Clemson.
August 22nd, 2021 at 10:05 PM ^
Ewers is more ready to play in college than now than McCord. McCord doesn't have to be concerned about Ohio Sts depth.
Of course Day wants them all to stay. It benefits Ohio St. So of course Day is wanting him to wait until January to evaluate. But waiting until January wouldn't benefit McCord.He would be better off getting out now, because it looks like to me, the only way he starts over Ewers in the future is if Ewers is injured. If McCord wants to be a starter he needs to go somewhere else. There's lots of schools that would take him right now. And it would benefit him to go now so he can start learning the playbook/system at a new school.
August 21st, 2021 at 5:48 PM ^
When I looked at practice film of Haskins and Fields before they played any games, I thought both were high level players. I don’t get the same feel with Stroud. I’m no expert and I’m likely wrong, but I’ll say he’s good, but not great.
August 21st, 2021 at 8:38 PM ^
Some may think this an odd take, but I don't concede anything to a team who hasn't played a game this season. The past is just that. I enjoy the fresh page and see what life writes on it.
Saggy State doesn't live rent free in my head. Go Blue!
August 21st, 2021 at 9:36 PM ^
Alabama showed how to beat Ohio St---score points. I like it that Cade McNamara was announced as starter 4 months ago. It allows the development of the offense. At this point you can only slow down offenses like Ohio Sts.
August 22nd, 2021 at 1:27 PM ^
For any other team it would be reasonable to think a RS freshman QB could struggle but since it's OSU that definitely won't happen