Buckeye QB battle still unresolved as Texas showdown looms

Catch up quick: Last year's starter, Will Howard, led the Buckeyes to a championship and was drafted by the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.

• His absence leaves a battle for the 2025 starting spot between Lincoln Kienholz and Julian Sayin, who have attempted a combined 34 passes in their college careers.
• The competition has been tight since the spring game in April, and head coach Ryan Day has praised both.

Zoom in: Day says Sayin, once the heavy favorite for the starting role, is "very smart" and has a lightning-quick release.

• Kienholz, however, has won coaches over with his leadership. He was named one of eight "Iron Buckeyes" — players who demonstrate toughness and dedication during summer workouts.

The latest: Day said this week he's "trying to get both guys ready to go win the game" and will name a starter "as we get closer."

• Many have speculated that Sayin is in the lead, but Day remains tight-lipped for now.

The intrigue: Day compared this to the 2018 duel between Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow back when Day was offensive coordinator.

• That's high praise. Haskins won a plethora of awards that season, while Burrow eventually transferred to LSU and won a Heisman Trophy.

Flashback: Last season's QB competition was similarly unsettled until Howard was officially named the starter on Aug. 15.

Yes, but: There was much less urgency in 2024.

• The Buckeyes started their season as heavy favorites against Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall — they didn't play a ranked opponent until Oct. 12, six games into the season.

This year, a big test immediately awaits.

• The No. 3-ranked Buckeyes host No. 1 Texas in their Aug. 30 season-opener, one of the biggest college football games of the year.
• It's a rematch of last year's College Football Playoff semifinal, a dramatic 28-14 OSU win.