Ohio State knows the value of the backup QB more than most CFB programs

The player of the day for Ohio State is junior quarterback Kyle McCord. The most experienced QB on OSU's roster, McCord was named the Buckeyes' starting quarterback Tuesday by head coach Ryan Day.

McCord will get the reigns against Indiana and start his bid to replace C.J. Stroud, a Heisman Trophy finalist and the No. 2 overall pick by the Houston Texans in this past NFL Draft. McCord is "the guy" in Columbus until proven otherwise, but that doesn't mean Day is discarding his now-backup: redshirt freshman Devin Brown.

In fact, Day would like for Brown to be able to take "meaningful snaps" against Indiana.

“I mean, as I sit here right now, that’s what I’d like to do,” Day explained in a press conference (h/t On3). “I’d like to get him [Brown] in the game and meaningful snaps and let them play."

The backup quarterback is often the fan favorite at any program, but there are reasons outside of fan service to get Brown experience against Indiana. First and foremost, he redshirted last season. Yes, he technically appeared in two games but he doesn't have a single throw under his belt as a college quarterback.

Practice is one thing, but there's only way Day will be able to get a true evaluation for Brown, or McCord for that matter. Game reps, when the chips are down for real, separate the pretenders from the contenders.

There are also championship expectations at OSU, and those don't just magically go away if McCord doesn't live up to expectations or gets hurt. 

Look no further than Ohio State's 2014 National Championship run for proof of this concept. Braxton Miller suffered a season-ending injury during fall camp. J.T. Barrett took over and had a great season, but he hurt himself in the season finale against Michigan and Cardale Jones took over, leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship win followed by a run to the CFP national championship.

Anything can and does happen in college football, which means that today's backup can be tomorrow's starter.