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Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

In an offseason full of College Football Playoff contenders with quarterback competitions, the most intriguing one might be at Ohio State. After what at times seemed like a decade-long stay in Columbus, J.T. Barrett is out of the picture, leaving a tight race for the starting gig between redshirt junior Joe Burrow and redshirt sophomore Dwayne Haskins. And don't rule out the possibility of redshirt freshman Tate Martell stealing the show.

Based solely on the spring game, it's looking like Burrow is the leader in the clubhouse.

Haskins had a decent day and finished 9-of-19 passing for 120 yards and two touchdowns, but Burrow's line was considerably better. The junior went 15-of-22 for 238 yards and a pair of scores. Both touchdowns came on deep strikes to Demario McCall—one for 50 yards and the other from 43 yards out.

Will it matter this time?

Burrow threw for three touchdowns in both the 2016 and 2017 spring games, but he barely saw the field in either autumn. In his college career, he has yet to appear in a game decided by fewer than 31 points, and never for more than a series or two.

But this is the first time that a job has truly been there for the taking.

Haskins and Martell still have several months to prove that they are more deserving of the job than Burrow, and the battle may linger into the first two weeks of the regular season, as the first two home games against Oregon State and Rutgers should be blowout wins for the Buckeyes. It might finally be Burrow's time to shine, though.