Rose Bowl Will Determine Results of Ryan Day's QB Decision

© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch

In the final seconds of the 2023 clash between Michigan and Ohio State, many felt quarterback Kyle McCord sealed his fate as Ohio State's quarterback. McCord’s errant pass was intercepted by Michigan defensive back Rod Moore to give Michigan its third straight win over Ohio State in a battle of top-3 ranked teams.

Following the loss to Michigan, McCord sought assurances of his starter’s status as Ohio State’s quarterback from head coach Ryan Day. In McCord’s defense, he would be entering his senior season in 2024 and would be running out of eligibility. You cannot blame McCord for pressing about this issue. During the 2023 regular season, McCord helped guide Ohio State to an 11-1 record with a berth in the Cotton Bowl, and he led the Big Ten Conference in yards per attempt (9.1) and yards per completion (13.8). 

On the surface, while those numbers looked great for McCord, Day assessed McCord’s big game performances and couldn’t assure McCord's starting status. Against Notre Dame, Penn State and Michigan, Day saw his quarterback complete 59.8 percent of his passes, throw 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and averaged 265.7 passing yards per game.

Quarterback Change

Without those assurances, McCord entered the Transfer Portal just days after the Michigan defeat, saddling Day to find a replacement. Many Ohio State fans were relieved that there would be a quarterback change. Ohio State had a Transfer Portal class that imported former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who guided the Wildcats to the 2022 Big 12 Conference Championship, and former five-star prospect Julian Sayin from Alabama. All eyes would be on Howard, and Howard realized quickly after announcing his intent to join Ohio State the importance of beating Michigan.

"You mean the Team Up North," Howard commented. "They won't say that M word. I guess I won't be saying it either."

Howard's Mixed Bag

Howard’s 2024 would be a mixed bag for Ohio State. While leading the Big Ten in completion percentage (73.2 percent—tied with Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel) and touchdown passes (29), Howard failed to deliver a victory in Ohio State’s biggest games of the season.

Playing in front of the largest crowd in the history of Autzen Stadium, the final drive was plagued by time mismanagement that could have positioned Ohio State for a game-winning field goal against Oregon. Howard’s numbers were excellent, completing 28-of-35 passes for 326 yards and 3 total touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush), many weren’t thrilled about the late-game miscues.

The failure in Oregon only added more pressure for their final clash against Michigan, a game that doesn’t need any more motivation. Michigan was barely bowl eligible with a 6-5 record and had an offense that lacked any explosiveness. What Michigan did possess was a defense that was able to stymie the Ohio State offense. Howard actually fared worse than McCord, only able to generate a single touchdown and had multiple turnovers.

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Howard faced the music following Ohio State’s fourth straight loss to Michigan.

“Bottom line is we lost. And it hurts, man. I can't say it enough, I'm sorry to Buckeye Nation," Howard said. "But listen, we still got things ahead of us. And we can still run the table and win a national championship. I think at the end of the day, that's what you have to focus on, and that's got to keep us going. Because this one hurts like hell.”

Day's Calculated Risk

What hurt many Buckeye fans—some won’t admit it—is McCord was successful at Syracuse during the 2024 season. You can look at the Pitt debacle and use it against McCord as his low point, where he had 5 interceptions—three of which were returned for TDs—but there were many highs for McCord. McCord led the nation in completions (391), attempts (552), passing yards (4,779), and yards per game (367.6) finishing in the top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting. 

McCord also guided Syracuse to their third 10-win season in the last 30 years. By all accounts, a raging success by the consensus of Syracuse fans. At Ohio State, Howard's grade is still in question. Day’s decision to pass on McCord was a calculated risk, winning the Rose Bowl against Oregon will give Day some relief. Losing this game already adds to an incredibly hot seat in Columbus, Ohio.