Kirk Herbstreit compares, contrasts CJ Stroud and Stetson Bennett as quarterbacks

Georgia and Ohio State’s matchup in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl isn’t just a matchup of two of the nation’s best teams. It’s also a game that features two of the country’s best QBs as both Stetson Bennett and CJ Stroud were Heisman finalists in 2022. Even so, Kirk Herbstreit sees a ton of difference in how the two are successful with their teams.

Herbstreit shared his thoughts on Bennett vs. Stroud ahead of their contest in Atlanta this weekend. He thinks both do exactly what the Bulldogs and Buckeyes ask them to do at an elite level. However, he thinks Bennett has a little bit more creativity in his game for Georgia while Stroud has shown extreme proficiency in making the correct read within Ohio State’s talented offense.

“Stetson Bennett’s skillset fits perfectly in what they do. I think if Ohio State fans haven’t seen him play? He’s not a distributor. He does distribute but that’s not his only job,” said Herbstreit. “His creativity and his shiftiness in the backfield when people get pressure on him is an incredibly underrated asset of his. And I think, in the bigger games, they do a really good job of taking advantage of that athletic ability and ability to throw on the run.”

“So he could not be any more different than the way Ohio State attacks and what they ask of CJ Stroud. Stroud is prolific in what he does in their offense. They want to run. But a lot of it for them is spreading you out and try to get your defensive backs in space. And, if you threw in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, they would have three receivers that are all going to be first round draft picks. And you can’t double all of them,” Herbstreit said. “I think CJ’s Stroud’s strength now with two years of experience is being able to get a pre-snap read. And then, not predetermining where to go with the ball, but reacting to what the defense does. Whether they go double team on the slot, double team on Marvin Harrison Jr.? He finds answers and he finds them quickly.”

Bennett has posted 3,420 passing yards and 20 touchdowns so far during his senior season. He has also rushed for seven scores on the top team in the country. Meanwhile, Stroud has rung up 3,340 yards and 37 touchdowns so far during his second season as OSU’s starter.

Herbstreit continued to describe both as two of the sport’s best. He thinks they both fit their respective team’s style and both bring an edge that comes from being doubted to a degree over the course of their careers.

“I don’t know if you can give an edge to either guy just because they’re very different. And, if you put them on opposite sides? I’m sure the coordinators and play callers would figure out a way to utilize their skill sets,” said Herbstreit. “But there’s a reason they play where they play because they fit with the schemes that they’re quarterbacking. Big fan of both these guys.”

“And I will say Stetson Bennett, his chip on his shoulder…his own fan base doubting him? I think (it) drives him to a very high level of performance. And ironically, CJ Stroud? In this era of social media, from the Oregon game last year to the Michigan game this year? He has dealt with scrutiny. And I think that’s a driving force behind his success as well,” Herbstreit said. “Two guys playing with a chip on their shoulder despite being Heisman finalists? I find (that) kind of interesting.”

Both Bennett and Stroud will need to be phenomenal once again to get their teams an appearance in the national title game. If both players continue that trend this weekend, we could see some fireworks when it comes to quarterback play in Mercedez-Benz Stadium on Saturday night.