Big Ten: Half of Conference Plays with Backups

Nine Big Ten teams will place a backup quarterback under center this weekend, according to a review of conference rosters and injury reports. The shift affects half of the 18 teams in the league, including second-ranked Ohio State and No. 7 UCLA. The uncertainty stems primarily from injuries, though roster construction changes have also contributed to the instability.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said the program is working to determine which player will start Saturday's prime-time game at Southern California. The choice is between freshman Luke Fahey and sophomore Tavien St. Clair. Starter Julian Sayin is sidelined indefinitely after hurting his throwing arm during a 19-15 win over Indiana on Oct. 17. Fahey has played three games this season, completing 9 of 13 passes for 203 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. St. Clair has played two games, completing 5 of 7 passes for 52 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Day noted that retaining quarterbacks is harder now because players often demand playing time. He stated that the days of stacking depth and developing players over time are over. The Buckeyes will decide the starter after a few more practice days, aiming for the best chance to win.

UCLA senior Ty Dieffenbach is expected to start the remainder of the season for the Bruins. He replaced Nico Iamaleava, who suffered a knee injury at Oregon on Oct. 10. Coach Bob Chesney praised Dieffenbach's resolve and confidence. Dieffenbach holds a 61.4% completion rate with two touchdowns and one interception. The Bruins rely on a running game that averages 233 yards per game, the highest in the conference, with Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods both averaging at least 65 yards per game.

Oregon's season has struggled following a season-ending concussion suffered by starter Dante Moore at USC on Sept. 26. The Ducks have not scored more than 17 points in their last three games. Dylan Raiola started against the Trojans but has lost his last two starts. Brock Thomas started against Nebraska but was pulled after completing less than half of his passes. Coach Dan Lanning fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Sunday. New play caller Jay Johnson faces a test against No. 20 Northwestern on Saturday.

Illinois freshman Michael Clayton II is the only true freshman quarterback in the conference to start and win a game this season. He passed for 88 yards and a touchdown in a 21-10 win over Oregon last week. Starter Katin Houser is recovering from hand surgery and is expected to miss three to five weeks. Washington coach Jed Fisch has not announced if Desmond Williams or Elijah Brown will start. Brown threw for a career-high 302 yards in the Oct. 16 loss at Purdue.

Iowa has listed Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski as the starting quarterback for Saturday's game at No. 25 Wisconsin. Both played in a loss at Minnesota last week. Hecklinski completed 9 of 16 passes for 62 yards and an interception in the red zone. Brown played the second half and completed 11 of 21 passes for 136 yards. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said he will decide between Bryce Underwood and Tommy Carr in the next couple of days. Rutgers may give AJ Surace his second start after Dylan Lonergan was injured at Northwestern.