If he's ready, then he's ready

While not quite the same (it was a home game), Rick Mirer's first start was as a true sophomore against a #4 Michigan team that was absolutely loaded with NFL talent (and quite a few NFL starters). I think 20 out of 24 of those starters on that Michigan team ended up either drafted or priority free agents.

I would argue that CJ Carr is actually much more polished right now, that Rick Mirer was at the start of the 1990 season.