ESPN analyst predicts Week 1 starter from Ohio State’s QB battle

ESPN analyst Adam Rittenberg recently broke down a list of the top quarterback battles ongoing throughout the country. That list understandably included Ohio State where the Buckeyes have Devin Brown and Kyle McCord battling it out for the starting job entering Week 1.

In his breakdown, Rittenberg indicated McCord has the inside track entering his third season in Columbus. However, he also cited an Ohio State source that said the battle is not over.

“We’ve got two really good quarterbacks. We’re not just going to anoint a guy,” said Rittenberg’s source.

McCord is a former 5-star prospect and the No. 28 player in the country from the 2021 recruiting class per the 247 Sports Composite. Brown was a 4-star recruit and the 43rd player nationally in the 2022 recruiting class.

McCord has more experience and is a more traditional passer lik CJ Stroud before him. Brown, however, has a bit more versatility and could throw teams the added look of a mobile QB that the Buckeyes did not utilize regularly the past 2 seasons.

Rittenberg’s prediction

At the end of the day, Rittenberg expects the experience of McCord to win out, at least for the program entering Week 1:

McCord. Unless he struggles early in camp, the junior should get the first opportunity for the Buckeyes in the opener at Indiana. His familiarity with Day, the offense and Harrison should be enough, although Brown can make things interesting with a surge in the first weeks of camp.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.