It's game day for Ohio State, and the biggest story over the last couple of weeks is who will replace the injured Julian Sayin at quarterback. Before Sayin went down against Indiana, true freshman Luke Fahey was No. 2 on the depth chart, passing the presumed future face of the program and former five-star recruit Tavien St. Clair.
Head coach Ryan Day opened up the competition during the off week, but was noncommittal on who would trot out to the huddle in L.A. against USC, so we were left thinking both might play, or that the competition was extremely close and still unknown.
However, based on reports, it appears that Fahey is still the quarterback who will start and be handed the keys to the Ohio State offense. This, according to a report from
CBS Sports. That doesn't mean that St. Clair won't be a part of the game plan, but you can bet the coaching staff has modeled the scheme and playbook to take advantage of what Fahey can do.
Ohio State is expected to start true freshman Luke Fahey at quarterback tomorrow against USC, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 31, 2026
Was the clear favorite in the competition with sophomore Tavien St. Clair to be Ohio State’s new starter with Julian Sayin now injured but head coach Ryan Day… pic.twitter.com/n1irFnE9Wc
If Fahey is the starter, it'll be the first true freshman to start for the Buckeyes since Kyle McCord filled in for an injured C.J. Stroug back in 2021 against Akron at home. This one is a little different. On the year, the California native is 9-of-13 for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Buckeyes and Trojans will kick things off at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and we'll be around for it all, including afterwards with analysis and commentary.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Reports indicate who will start at quarterback for Ohio State
