Ohio State to start J.T. Barrett over Cardale Jones this weekend.

[Greenbacks]

J.T. Barrett will start at quarterback for Ohio State against Rutgers on Saturday, coach Urban Meyer told reporters Tuesday.
Meyer called the switch from Cardale Jones a "difficult decision" but attributed his decision to how Barrett played last week.

"Just sheer production," Meyer said. "Cardale is going to be a very active part. Hopefully we'll keep him very much involved. It was a difficult decision, but the red-zone production and third-down production were the two areas that made the difference. [Barrett] earned that with the way he played Saturday."

Barrett's 83.3 red zone completion percentage is more than 50 percentage points higher than Jones', according to ESPN's Stats & Information. In the past two weeks, Barrett has been almost flawless in the red zone, leading the Buckeyes to scores on all 12 possessions, with touchdowns on 11 of them.

Barrett ran for 102 yards on 11 carries in last weekend's 38-10 win over Penn State, scoring two touchdowns in the red zone in the first half and throwing two TD passes in the fourth quarter. Jones started the game but was only 9-for-15 for 84 yards, and was benched in favor of Barrett in the second half.

"There is disappointment," Meyer said of the quarterbacks' reaction to the decision, "but they're grown men, both of them are."
Meyer said he was unsure what role Jones would play but anticipated it would be similar to the one Barrett had played.

"Whether it's doing what J.T. did as far as keeping and staying into the game, coaching J.T., I expect Cardale will be very similar in his role as J.T," Meyer said. "Now, not necessarily in the red zone, we'll make those decisions and see how he practices this week."

Jones had started all seven of Ohio State's games this season. Barrett was the starter in 2014 before breaking his ankle in the final regular-season game against Michigan.
Information from ESPN's Joe Schad and Austin Ward and from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[Addicted2quack]

Their offense is going to explode this week.... I said Barrett should've started all season... This is where the Buckeyes start looking like the defending national champs

 

[Lvtexholdm]

I say, that's a good move!!

 

[1osubucks]

I have NEVER in my life ( that I can remember ) bet Ohio State as a favorite, let alone + 3 TD's. After todays announcement and seeing this injury report I might. I have yet to watch the second half of last weeks osu game as I am fighting the flu but I fell pretty confident what they will look like with JT at QB full time. Currently the number opened at 21 and is off the board every where from what I see. Will have to check this report later in the week but Rutgers does not look very healthy.

Rutgers
Date	Pos	Player	Injury	Status
10/20/15	DB	Blessuan Austin	Undisclosed	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/20/15	DB	Davon Jacobs	Undisclosed	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/19/15	WR	Janarion Grant	Undisclosed	injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/19/15	WR	Leonte Carroo	Lower Body	injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	WR	John Tsimis	Lower Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	Backup RB	Desmon Peoples	Upper Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	WR	Dontae Owens	Lower Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	TE	George Behr	Lower Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	DB	Jarius Adams	Upper Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	LB	Austin Rosa	Lower Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	Backup RB	Charles Snorweah	Upper Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	SS	Kiy Hester	Lower Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
10/18/15	DB	Anthony Cioffi	Upper Body	"?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
09/26/15	DT	Darius Hamilton	Lower Body	out for season
09/24/15	OL	Jacquis Webb	Lower Body	out for season
09/05/15	DB	Nadir Barnwell	Dismissed	has been dismissed
09/05/15	DB	Delon Stephenson	Dismissed	has been dismissed
09/05/15	DB	Razohnn Gross	Dismissed	has been dismissed
09/05/15	DB	Ruhann Peele	Dismissed	has been dismissed
09/05/15	DB	Andre Boggs	Dismissed	has been dismissed

 

[tmader7]

I plugged in 21 earlier today GB, you want that, better get it now because come Saturday, it'll be 24 plus. GL

~T~

 

[TheOracle6]

This decision should have been made when JT was voted captain. I understand Urban wanting a down field passing threat, but JT's ability to make something out of nothing is what makes his offense tick. Not only does Barrett give the offense an added dimension, but it also creates extra space for Zeke Elliot, which they will need against good run stopping teams like Michigan. I think OSU covers this week, but I'm not swallowing 21 points, 22.5 by kickoff.

 

[slapshot]

Meyer knows it should of been JT from the start

 

[8ate]

Meyer knows it should of been JT from the start

..listen; Urban ain;t no fool; he gave Caedale respect; kept JT from injuries; now the real season begins; getting ready for run through MSU; TSUN, Big champ gm; then 2 game cfg playoff for 2 x nat'l champ..>>

That's the formula; got it..??

 

[TheOracle6]

With that defense, Baylor will score 80 on them. No way they repeat, but if they do, that's good for the big ten.

 

[lionking]

OSU started playing like #1 team once jt started getting all the snaps....jones stays in the game against psu and the game is a 1 possession game going deep into 4th

 

[TheOracle6]

I'm surprised it took so long, but I think he was giving cardale a shot after what he did last year. Crazy that cardale decided to stay, there were many teams considering him as a 1st rounder, now, he's not even on most boards. Even though I am a diehard Michigan fan, I hope cardale doesn't cause a distraction with his disappointment.

 

[1osubucks]

I'm surprised it took so long, but I think he was giving cardale a shot after what he did last year. Crazy that cardale decided to stay, there were many teams considering him as a 1st rounder, now, he's not even on most boards. Even though I am a diehard Michigan fan, I hope cardale doesn't cause a distraction with his disappointment.

i know one thing.. there was NO WAY osu was beating michigan with CJ at QB, blue D would have ate him up. its amazing with no 4.2/4.3 speed to stretch the field how it has impacted defenses scheming for osu. Multiple injuries at WR did not help but I am 100% confident imo they do not beat michigan with Jones at QB. JT is very dangerous at the helm, creating a 3 headed monster with Elliot, Miller, and JT... MSU and Michigan DC will have their hands full imo. Their defense is not that bad, i have said it all year, if you look at national numbers u will see it.. their problems are individual break downs giving up huge plays.. I like our chances much better with JT vs ttun ! Its nice to have a solid blue team again. The rivalry is back and the urban/jim chapter in the history books will be some great games. I wish we were in different divisions playing in the BIG championship game would be neat.

 

[TheOracle6]

i know one thing.. there was NO WAY osu was beating michigan with CJ at QB, blue D would have ate him up. its amazing with no 4.2/4.3 speed to stretch the field how it has impacted defenses scheming for osu. Multiple injuries at WR did not help but I am 100% confident imo they do not beat michigan with Jones at QB. JT is very dangerous at the helm, creating a 3 headed monster with Elliot, Miller, and JT... MSU and Michigan DC will have their hands full imo. Their defense is not that bad, i have said it all year, if you look at national numbers u will see it.. their problems are individual break downs giving up huge plays.. I like our chances much better with JT vs ttun ! Its nice to have a solid blue team again. The rivalry is back and the urban/jim chapter in the history books will be some great games. I wish we were in different divisions playing in the BIG championship game would be neat.

Yessir, its really going to be awesome to have two of the top 5 coaches in the game squaring off each year. OSU is still the better, more talented team at present, but Harbaugh's eye for talent , and his ability to develop talent is second to none. Very excited to have a new 10 year war starting this year!! With CJ at QB I would have the spread at OSU -3.5 but with JT I put it at OSU -8. I know one thing for sure, its going to be a hard hitting, hard fought, earn everything you get type game this year. Best of luck til the 28th bro.

 

[bukis1]

With that defense, Baylor will score 80 on them. No way they repeat, but if they do, that's good for the big ten.

Baylor 80 lol. If they score 80 on our d we'd score 125 on their's

 

[pac]

With that defense, Baylor will score 80 on them. No way they repeat, but if they do, that's good for the big ten.

I'd take a match up with TCU/Baylor any day of the week. I think teams like Michigan state/UM/bama/lsu would be a tougher match up personally.

 

[1osubucks]

Yessir, its really going to be awesome to have two of the top 5 coaches in the game squaring off each year. OSU is still the better, more talented team at present, but Harbaugh's eye for talent , and his ability to develop talent is second to none. Very excited to have a new 10 year war starting this year!! With CJ at QB I would have the spread at OSU -3.5 but with JT I put it at OSU -8. I know one thing for sure, its going to be a hard hitting, hard fought, earn everything you get type game this year. Best of luck til the 28th bro.

I agree on harbaugh, have said it here @ rx many times they would win much sooner then those expect. he is a solid coach. probably should get coach of the year imo if you look at what he did with what hoke did with the same group. Their D has been good with hoke as was for the most part o line. Hoke failed badly at recruiting speed/skill at WR and QB. When harbaugh gets a 5* wr to stretch the field look out imo. they pound you with the run, run a lot of crossing routes underneath creating good mismatches and right now with out a real deep threat teams can cheat on run and crossing routes, once they have dangerous wr they will be tuff on O. I think the biggest thing is the mind set they are playing football with. Definitely not counting it a as a win @ Blue, it will be a tuff game with everything on the line. Good Luck to you also till the 28th !