There is a reason for a preseason top 25 and it’s to market the early matchups. For instance, last year we were preseason ranked #5. Why? So the opener Vs Ohio State was a top 5 matchup. Remember, the new college football world revolves around TV ratings. There’s no reason to get caught up in early rankings, but to say there is “zero reason” is wrong.
That should tell you al you need to know about those teams recruiting. The kid - McCord - that is expected to start for OSU was actually graded higher than JJ McCarthy by OSU un high school. McCarthy wanted to commit to OSU but was put on the back burner while OSU was waiting on McCord's commitment decision. McCord - a former concesus 5-star - was ready to enter the portal awhile back and Ryan Day talked him out of it. This is McCord's 3rd year at OSU ----- his biggest problem is beating out 2nd year QB Devin Brown for the starting job as both are really doing well in camp.
Nothing from Day suggests both QB’s are doing really well in camp. He’s said that he needs to see more consistency and it’s not like both are playing so well that he doesn’t know how to keep one off the field…
Of course recruiting rankings aren't exact but ther's a reason that almost every school go hard after the designated high 4 and 5-star recruits. You recruit 3 and 4 stars and I'll concentrate on 4 and 5 stars and you wanna bet who wins the most in a 10 game-series?
Of course we want 5-stars, me too bud. But comparing McCord to McCarthy at this stage is rich. He hasn’t even won the job and McCarthy is proven. Talking about someone’s recruiting rankings from 3-4 years ago is pointless…
I'm not trying to do that only that trying to point out that McCord has big-time talent - and arm - and keep in mind, McCarthy had a lot easier path to starting at UM whereas McCord was stuck behind eventual #2 NFL pick Stroud for the last 2 years. And I'm not forgetting the other high rated QB - Devin Brown - who was a high 4 and 5 star in the ratings. Yes, it is a legit battle between the 2 from everything I've read on the OSU sites
Not arguing with you about McCarthy vs McCord (or Devin Brown) but I think what a few are trying to point out is that OSU having a new QB is nowhere near as dire as it would be for the other 99% CF schools. Day was a QB coach in the NFL. In fact, I think it's safe to say he's right there - or just a step behind Lincoln Riley - when it comes to recruiting and developing QBs. They have to be #1 and #2 in that area.
Both of those teams - especially USC - put up huge offensive numbers. Their obvious problem is defense - just like OSU - and holding onto leads. Day and Lincoln Riley = offensive geniuses but DUDS on defense. USC and OSU - and I guess you can add Utah - are teams I will not bet on this year because of those defensive shortcomings.
I agree with all of that. Definitely proven recruiting and developing QBs. I will say that in the past Day hasn’t been this critical of his QB battle and usually has an idea of a starter by now. Who knows, maybe McCord/Brown will be the next Stroud, but it currently remains to be seen.
That’s fair. I do realize they were solid recruits, but we’re reading different things online then because the OSU insiders I’ve read have not been enthused by the QB play thus far.
Our defense did a pretty good job on them last year for most of the game, and that was with Stroud at QB. So I think our D could hold them to a relatively low number of points again. It's a big unknown, though, because we have no idea how good their new QB will be. But by game week, we'll know a lot more about that.
Day is the master of coach speak I wouldn't put too much into it, he says that kind of stuff to the media to motivate both guys. Every year the team "needs to get better" at the beginning of camp then by the end of it they're hitting their stride
