One BIG Question About Ohio State QB Kyle McCord  Ohio State Buckeyes Podcast

Kyle McCord is a couple days removed from a really efficient performance against Michigan State. The talented quarterback is showing everyone what he can do.

Kyle McCord maintains Ohio State football’s Big Ten QB edge, but Michigan threat looms

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football can be satisfied with the quarterback Kyle McCord has been in the most important moments so far, but enthused about the one he may still become in the coming weeks.

McCord came out of Saturday’s 20-12 victory over Penn State admitting he needed to be more calm in the pocket. He opened the game a crisp 5 of 5, finished with a tight 11 of 14, but in the middle floundered at times during a 6 of 16 stretch against an elite defense.

In terms of making enough plays to beat the best teams on the schedule, though, McCord’s effort built on the one that won at Notre Dame a month earlier.

“We obviously got back from that game, tried to correct what was wrong, but at the same time, we knew that if we can continue to use that momentum rolling, it’s gonna be a good year,” McCord said.

Back in August, I asked the question, “Will Ohio State football’s quarterback be better than every opponent’s starter?” In that premise, the Buckeyes have been able to answer in the affirmative in every game dating back to at least the Justin Fields-Trevor Lawrence matchup in the 2020 Sugar Bowl.

Two months later, that streak continues, with one possible push along the way. These comparisons added perspective on McCord’s growth in half a season as a starter, and the growth still necessary before the marquee matchup one month away.

A different league
I called the lowest category “A different league,” as in these opponents will not have anything close to Ohio State-level quarterback play.

Indiana’s and Youngstown State’s quarterbacks combined to complete 55.3% of their passes for 217 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. McCord did not even have the full-time starting job yet for those games, but his performance (34 of 53, 497 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) reinforced the talent disparity.

The other three quarterbacks in that tier will come in succession heading into the regular season finale against Michigan:

• Rutgers’ Gavin Wimsett (111.25 efficiency rating, 6.3 yards per attempt, seven TDs, four INTs) has Rutgers bowl eligible at 6-2 despite completing 50% of his passes.

• Michigan State has apparently settled on freshman Katin Houser (11.24 efficiency, 5.9 yards per attempt, two TDs, two INTs). Obviously that and many other things around the Spartans are a work in progress.

• Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis ranks 11th in the Big Ten in efficiency rating (106.43) while averaging 5.7 yards per attempt with six TDs and six INTs. Gophers just achieved their biggest win of the season, 12-10 over Iowa, with 4 of 18 third-down efficiency and almost as many punts (nine) as first downs (12).

Translation: Beginning with a homecoming game of sorts in two weeks at Rutgers, McCord will have three consecutive games in which the pressure to win is lowered and the pressure to improve is heightened.