Ohio State faces USC with a huge QB question. Ryan Day isn’t tipping his hand - USA Today

Who will get the start for Ohio State at quarterback against No. 25 Southern Cal on Saturday night?

Will it be freshman Luke Fahey or sophomore Tavien St. Clair? Buckeyes coach Ryan Day isn't saying, refusing to name a starter after Wednesday's practice.

“Both will be ready to play,” Day said. “Guys on the team have confidence that if both were put in the game, that they can do their job.”

Fahey, a three-star freshman from Mission Viejo, Calif., was the pick to fill in for the injured Julian Sayin in the Buckeyes' narrow win over Indiana on Oct. 17. Fahey didn't complete a pass (0 for 2) against the Hoosiers as Ohio State leaned on its defense to preserve the lead.

"Going into the last few games, Luke's been ahead of Tavien, in terms of what we've seen," Day said on Oct. 20. "That's why he went in first. But now we have to come up for air and put together a plan. So, we need both the guys to practice really well."

The Buckeyes had an off week to plan for Sayin's indefinite absence and prepare for USC. Day used it for a midseason competition.

“Things have progressed this week similar to the way they have in the past,” Day said. “I’ll just leave it at that, keep preparing and play the game on Saturday.”

St. Clair came to Columbus with much more fanfare than Fahey. A five-star in-state recruit in the 2025 class and the No. 3 quarterback nationally, per 247Sports, St. Clair has completed five of nine passes for 52 yards and one touchdown with one interception in spot duty this season vs. Ball State and Kent State earlier this year.

Fahey played a total of seven drives against the Cardinals and then the Flashes, recording 203 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

If Ohio State is going to keep its College Football Playoff and Big Ten championship hopes alive, one of the two will need to step up. Here's a suggestion: Get No. 4 the ball.

After USC, the Buckeyes host Oregon, then No. 18 Northwestern, travel to Nebraska and finish at home against a struggling Michigan team.

Columbus Dispatch Ohio State reporter Joey Kaufman contributed to this story.