Ohio State Buckeyes QB J.T. Barrett A Reason For Optimism Going Forward
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As I mentioned in my article from yesterday, the chances aren’t looking to0 great for the Ohio State Buckeyes this year to get into the College Football Playoff. Their record already includes one loss and their strength of schedule is more really a weakness of schedule. That being said, the Buckeyes do have one reason for optimism going forward, and that is quarterback J.T. Barrett.
Throughout head coach Urban Meyer’s time in college football, his teams have always been able to make some noise when he has someone great under center. This was the case at the University of Utah with QB Alex Smith, and at the University of Florida with Tim Tebow, who some have claimed is the best college QB of all time. Heck, Meyer was even able to turn around Bowling Green State University when he had Joshua Harris, and Harris was drafted sixth by the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, I’m not saying that Barrett is going to have the same type of collegiate career that Smith or Tebow had; that would be a ridiculous assertion. However, I am comfortable with saying that Barrett could definitely be, when it’s all said and done, somewhere statistically between Smith and Harris. And that is enough of reason to believe that Ohio State will win a national title before Barrett leaves school.
Barrett’s poise and maturity throughout this season have been above average for a player put in his position. Thrust into the starting job less than a week before the first game, Barrett has shown a willingness to spread the ball around, the accuracy to get the ball there and the athletic ability to take off when needed.
And that is all Meyer really needs out of his quarterbacks. Meyer has a mold to fit when it comes to running his spread game, and Barrett fits that perfectly. I’m not saying that Barrett will light up the scoreboard, far from it. But between his intangibles, athleticism and Meyer’s ability to field a competitive team every year, don’t be surprised to see the Buckeyes competing for a national title in the next couple of years.
Alasdair Thornton is Big 10 Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow and message him on twitter at @AlasdairThornto, or Facebook.
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