Ohio State QB battle between Sayin, Kienholz too close to call - ESPN

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After the first quarter of Ohio State's preseason practices, the competition between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz for the starting quarterback spot remains too close to call.

«The competition continues,» coach Ryan Day said. «They both have had good moments and moments where they're growing. I will say I've been pleased with the progress. It's going to go right down to the wire.

»The positives of having a competition is that you know every day you got to bring it. The guys are always on edge, they're uncomfortable, they're working at it. I think that's healthy for the entire building."

A quarterback competition the season after winning the College Football Playoff championship is routine at Ohio State. The circumstances, though, are different.

In 2015, Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett both had experience as they battled. Jones led the Buckeyes to the title when he started the Big Ten championship and both CFP games after Barrett broke his ankle against Michigan.

Sayin and Kienholz have a combined 34 pass attempts and 90 college snaps. They are competing to replace Will Howard, who transferred from Kansas State and threw for a Big Ten-high 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns in leading the Buckeyes to their sixth national title.

Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler is looking for consistency, especially as the Buckeyes start getting more into situational scenarios during practices the next two weeks.

«We have to be great on third down and in the red zone. That's where quarterbacks make their money,» Fessler said. «We're in a spot where we're getting more and more of those situations every day. So it's an opportunity for those guys to go out and compete.»

Sayin has shown better arm strength, though Kienholz has