Published: Sunday, 8/23/2015 BY DAVID BRIGGSBLADE SPORTS WRITER COLUMBUS — Hell week is over. Let the games begin. As Ohio State wrapped up the final practice of its off-site training camp at the Coffey Road intramural fields Saturday, the defending champions could at last turn their attention to Virginia Tech. “We’re ready to rock and roll,” coach Urban Meyer said of the Buckeyes’ Sept. 7 season opener. There was just one big question left. Ohio State completed the most grinding part of camp — filled with two-a-days and dread — with no clear answer to the question that has captivated college football. That’s the story Meyer is sticking with, at least. Asked if either Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett had gained any separation in their quarterback duel, he smiled and said, “They’re both doing good.” “I’m telling you, and I try to be as honest as I can,” Meyer said. “They’re neck and neck. I really thought in my mind two days ago that one guy was starting to move ahead of the other. But guess what? Today they’re back [even].” With a mostly settled roster, Meyer had a better idea on pretty much every other position, including the closely watched battle at defensive end. He gave redshirt freshman Sam Hubbard the edge over Jalyn Holmes to replace suspended star Joey Bosa at Virginia Tech, leaving the Buckeyes with a still-formidable opening-night line of Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis at end and Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt at tackle. Meyer also expressed confidence quarterback-turned-receiver Braxton Miller will be far enough along to start the opener. Miller has much to learn at his new position and was held out of Saturday’s scrimmage with a tight hamstring, but Meyer said the former two-time Big Ten MVP is “getting real close” to being game-ready. Miller will return to practice Monday. At least for the opener, the starting H-back job appears his to lose. The Buckeyes will head to Blacksburg without their top returning H-backs, Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, who along with Bosa and receiver Corey Smith were suspended for one game because of an unspecified violation. On if Miller will be the starter, Meyer said, “I’m not ready to say that, but I want him to be.” Outside of quarterback, Meyer said the tightest remaining competition is at kicker…
Continue Reading: OSU turns attention to Va. Tech
