Heisman Forecast: Buckeyes’ shaky QB play helping Elliott’s case

Believed to be an embarrassment of riches, the truth is, No. 1 Ohio State’s quarterback play has been abysmal, and it may be just what Ezekiel Elliott needs to become a real factor in the Heisman Trophy race. Cardale Jones — the erstwhile third-string passer who built his reputation on those three consecutive wins that gave the Buckeyes the first title in the College Football Playoff era — has been nowhere near as dominant as he was against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon. He ranks 58th in the nation in pass efficiency (134.3), is 80th in yards per game (173.4) and has thrown as many touchdowns (five) as interceptions in 106 attempts. Even J.T. Barrett hasn’t been as dynamic as before when he’s gotten in, completing 55.3 percent on his 38 attempts with two TDs and two picks. While Braxton Miller — now an H-back — has yet to miss a pass, he’s attempted just one, so we can’t really count that. But amid the surprisingly down play, Elliott has been arguably the Buckeyes’ most consistent piece on either side of the ball, rattling off five 100-yards games, including last weekend’s 274 and three scores in the 34-27 win over Indiana. The thought of this Heismanphile heading into the season was that Ohio State had so many options, they were bound to steal attention away from each other. Think Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell at Texas Tech in 2008 only magnified. But the reality is, Elliott keeps delivering and is in line to this weekend too against Maryland, which is 102nd against the rush, giving up 199.8 per game. Should the Buckeyes return to the CFP on Elliott’s back and in spite of the unimpressive play that Urban Meyer has on his hands, Elliott will become more and more of a threat for the school’s first win since Troy Smith in 2006. …

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