When Lincoln Riley's USC faces off against Ohio State, the battle will contain dozens of juicy plot points, but one angle stands out: how the two coaches will develop their quarterbacks.
Ohio State's Julian Sayin will be paramount to the Buckeyes' dreams of winning a national title this season, and head coach Ryan Day was asked about his development under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
"I think he's liked the challenge of some of the things that Arthur is bringing to the table," Day said at Big Ten Media Days. "When you go from coaching Aaron Rodgers to a college quarterback, you can certainly imagine what that has been like for Arthur. Man, Julian keeps up. It's been fun to watch. Combine that with a quarterback who has the experience now. I mean, this is only the third time since I've been at Ohio State that we've had the same quarterback come back for a second year (as a starter). That's a big deal."
USC, meanwhile, has Lincoln Riley, the ultimate NFL quarterback developer in modern times. He has given the NFL Jalen Hurts, Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray. With his expertise, USC's Jayden Maiava will be put to the test against Sayin and Smith.
Ohio State gave Sayin a new coordinator with NFL experience, while USC has Riley, who has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks. The matchup will be a battle of which offensive tactician can get the most out of his quarterback.
Riley's experience in developing quarterbacks is unmatched, with four of his former players going on to have successful NFL careers. His ability to adapt his system to his players' strengths will be put to the test against Smith's new approach.
The game will be a fascinating study in contrast, with two different coaching styles and philosophies on display. Smith's background in the NFL will be put to the test against Riley's college experience.
The outcome of the game will not only decide which team wins, but also which coach can get the most out of his quarterback. The battle between Riley and Smith will be a key storyline to watch in the game.
Source: Yahoo Sports