What to Expect from J.T. Barrett in Buckeyes Matchup with Michigan State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — If J.T. Barrett was hoping to be overlooked in Ohio State’s matchup with Michigan State this Saturday, he found the wrong opponent.

Comparing the Buckeyes freshman quarterback to his two-time Big Ten MVP predecessor Braxton Miller, Spartans linebacker Taiwan Jones wasn’t short on praise for Barrett, as he heads into the toughest test of his young college career.

“Barrett works better in this offense, and I feel like he has a better arm. He is a way better quarterback than Braxton,” Jones said in a Tuesday press conference. “As an athlete, I feel like Braxton Miller was better. As for a quarterback that can fit in the offense, Barrett fits really well.”

Jones’ comment drew a rebuttal from Miller, but there is some validity to his premise. Because while Miller has been on the sideline nursing a season-ending torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, the Ohio State offense has been humming along under Barrett, ranking fourth in the nation in points per game (45.6) and 15th in yards per game (505).

But while Barrett’s success in his first season has been impressive, it hasn’t been without an asterisk. It’s worth noting that the majority of the Wichita Falls, Texas, native’s success has come against lesser opponents, both in the nonconference and Big Ten portion of the Buckeyes schedule.

In fact, of Barrett’s 2,352 total yards and 29 touchdowns, 1,914 yards and 24 touchdowns have come against Navy, Kent State, Cincinnati,…

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