Ohio State Should Be Lock For College Football Playoff With J.T. Barrett As Unquestioned Starting QB

By Jason Shawley

It’s often said that competition brings out the best in people, though this wasn’t an accurate cliche for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2015.

Following their unexpected triumph in the inaugural College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes entered the recent season with aspirations of a repeat as they were deemed one of the most talented college football teams ever. Urban Meyer‘s squad played below their potential for the majority of the season, though remaining unbeaten until their November 21 loss to Michigan State that would ultimately remove them from the playoff picture. It’s been widely speculated that Ohio State would’ve won it all if they made it in.

Barrett’s previous competitor, Cardale Jones, is moving on to the NFL which means there won’t be any doubt as to who’s taking the field against Bowling Green on September 3. With Barrett as the unquestioned starter, the Buckeyes should be the favorite to take home the ultimate prize once again. Alabama and Clemson will likely be the top-ranked teams to enter the season, but no one will be overlooking Ohio State.

Barrett threw for 933 yards and 11 touchdowns in limited action in 2015. As the full-time starter in 2014, Barrett tossed 34 touchdowns and registered 2,834 yards through the air before going down with a season-ending injury in the regular season finale. Jones went on to lead the Buckeyes to three straight wins in his first three career starts to cap a championship season.

Ohio State will be losing a lot of talent offensively, but they should have plenty of depth to plug in at the tailback and receiver positions. Experience and leadership at quarterback, let alone an early Heisman contender, can go a long way to ease the transition.

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