No matter who Ohio State chose to start its season opener against No. 1 Texas, the selection would have less collegiate experience than Longhorns QB Arch Manning, even though Manning only has a couple college starts.
Well, the Buckeyes have made their decision.
On Monday, OSU announced that Julian Sayin will start in the season opener that pits No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State.
Sayin is a five-star recruit from California who began his college career heading to Tuscaloosa before transferring from Alabama when Nick Saban retired.
Last season, Sayin got 12 regular season pass attempts, completing five for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Sayin beat out Lincoln Kienholz, who has been in Columbus longer but has only been a deep piece on the QB depth chart.
It's a big decision for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the defending national champions. They've got a strong receiving group, led by superstar Jeremiah Smith along with Carnell Tate.
But Ohio State lost quarterback Will Howard to the NFL. He was successful in his lone OSU season after transferring from Kansas State, but in replacing him, the Buckeyes turned toward two inexperienced pieces.
Sayin has the pedigree, to be sure. But unlike Howard, he doesn't have the proof at the college level.
There's no place better to make a statement than the opening weekend against the top team in the country, especially one with a pass rush as fearsome as that of the Longhorns.
Sayin may fail in game one, and there'd be no shame in that, because Texas is that good.
But if he goes out there and plays up to his recruiting expectations, Sayin will quickly boost Ohio State's hopes for the season sky high.
The Buckeyes want to defend their national championship. To do so, Sayin will have to be as advertised.
MORE: Syracuse names its starting QB for opener vs. Tennessee