Paul Finebaum Names Top 10 College Football Program With A Quarterback Problem

The Ohio State Buckeyes entered the 2024 season with high expectations of contending for the national championship. The team returned 15 starters from the previous year and also added standout players such as safety Caleb Downs and running back Quinshon Judkins from the transfer portal, as well as wide receiver Jeremiah Smith from high school.

Ohio State also acquired a new quarterback, Will Howard, through the transfer portal. In his five seasons, he has had a career completion percentage of 61.3% and has thrown for 7,360 yards, 62 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. In Saturday's game against the Oregon Ducks, he performed exceptionally well, completing 80% of his passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. However, Paul Finebaum, speaking on "The Matt Barrie Show ," expressed concern that Ohio State's quarterback might hold the Buckeyes back.

"Ohio State's very good," Finebaum said. "The problem that we talked about before the year looks like could still be a problem. and that's at the quarterback position. Good decisions, bad decisions. I really like that team. I understand the circumstances and atmosphere; you can alibi it, 'That's really not that bad,' but I expected Ohio State to win."

Finebaum admitted that part of his expectation for an Ohio State win was due to his lack of belief in Oregon and what the Ducks had shown so far this season. He also concluded that he's struggling to remember when head coach Ryan Day has won a big game.

The Buckeyes and Day will have an opportunity to prove Finebaum wrong in three weeks. Ohio State will face the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions on the road in what could be a significant top-five matchup.

Ohio State also has two remaining games against ranked opponents at the end of the season. The Buckeyes will face the Indiana Hoosiers and Michigan Wolverines in consecutive games to conclude the season.

Related: Paul Finebaum Criticizes Ohio State’s 'Complete Rip Off' Of The Fan Base