If an unbeaten, top-ranked, defending national champion is permitted dilemmas, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer might have solved the one concerning his quarterbacks. Cardale Jones remains the starter, until he moves the offense inside or close to the opposing 20-yard line. Once in the red zone, look for J.T. Barrett to take over. The plan worked fine in Ohio State’s 49-21 win last week, albeit over a shaky Maryland team beset by chaos whose coach, Randy Edsall, was fired the next day. Jones completed 21 of 28 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Barrett completed both of his pass attempts for 26 yards and carried 12 times for 62 yards and three scores. Asked if the move was permanent, Meyer replied, “I think so, but I’m not writing it in Sharpie yet. We’ll see how it goes.” Using two quarterbacks in a game typically does not end well, but Ohio State’s supply of depth and talent is hardly typical. For example, Braxton Miller, the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year as a quarterback, missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, and the Buckeyes still won the inaugural College Football Playoff. Now an H-back, Miller was named conference Offensive Player of the Week after the first game at his new position. Penn State will face contrasting quarterback styles at Ohio Stadium on Saturday night against the No. …
Continue Reading: Penn State readies for top-ranked Ohio State’s quarterback rotation
