Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones will enter Thursday’s Sugar Bowl matchup against Alabama with one career start under his belt.
At first glance, that appears to be a big advantage for the Crimson Tide. But with four weeks to prepare, Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes coaching staff have had the time to turn Jones into their secret weapon.
The 6’5″, 250-pound redshirt sophomore fell to No. 3 on the Buckeyes’ depth chart during fall camp, but season-ending injuries to Braxton Miller (preseason) and J.T. Barrett (vs. Michigan) thrust Jones into the spotlight. With six days of preparation, Jones was able to take over the starting duties and execute Ohio State’s game plan to perfection in a 59-0 demolition of Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game.
That’s the only usable film Alabama has on a quarterback it needs to stop in order to reach the national title game. With the meticulous way Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart prepare, that lack of film is an issue.
The Dangerous Unknown
Jones was brilliant in his first career start, completing 70.6 percent of his passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions. While his stats were gaudy, Jones truly wasn’t asked to do much, attempting just 17 passes as the Buckeyes ran on 69.6 percent of their plays from scrimmage.
Despite Jones’ easy workload, the Buckeyes still managed to carve up the nation’s second-ranked defense, averaging 9.9 yards per play on their way to 558 total yards…
Continue Reading: Why Cardale Jones Will Be Ohio State’s Secret Weapon Against Alabama
