INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State has made its case. There are no more games to be played before the College Football Playoff committee releases its final rankings Sunday at noon when the top four teams that will be playing for a shot at a national title are revealed. That’s it. It’s over. Now the eighth-ranked Buckeyes have to sit and wait.
Saturday in Ohio Stadium was just another day for J.T. Barrett. Through his five years and four played seasons at Ohio State, the quarterback from Wichita Falls, Texas, has been the face of the Ohio State football program for much of that time and has faced unparalleled scrutiny for a player with 141 career touchdowns and 35 Big Ten…
After being taught a lesson by Iowa last week, No. 13 Ohio State studied its notes, prepared and then administered a similar beatdown to 12th-ranked Michigan State in Ohio Stadium Saturday. It wasn’t even midway through the second quarter when the Buckeyes had more than 300 total yards and 35 points on the board.
The moment never became too much for J.T. Barrett. Draped in an oversized coat, Barrett grabbed his headset as he took a seat on the bench following a touchdown pass to Johnnie Dixon that cut Ohio State’s deficit to 38-33 with four minutes and 14 seconds showing on the clock. As he was listening to instructions from offensive coordinators…
Ohio State defensive end Tyquan Lewis tried not to swear after the game. It wasn’t out of frustration, but disbelief. After all, the Buckeye defense allowed just 66 yards and six first downs, amassed five sacks and 12 tackles for loss, and stymied Maryland’s all-conference-quality running back Ty Johnson for just 57 yards on 12 carries.
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was benched with 3:32 remaining in the second quarter against UNLV Saturday. Albeit that came after the fifth-year quarterback completed one of his most efficient games in his career at Ohio State, converting 12-of-17 passes for 209 yards and five touchdowns. Barrett’s first touchdown pass was…
J.K. Dobbins isn’t the average true freshman running back. He isn’t one to bask in the spotlight that comes with being Ohio State’s starting running back. He doesn’t show extreme confidence that could be confused for hubris. He’s a team-first guy, crediting his offensive line, wide receivers and tight end for blocking in front of him.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield might be the best player Ohio State will face this year. That being said, allowing 386 passing yards and three touchdowns on a completion rate of 77 percent is inexcusable. Ohio State had difficulty defending the pass against Indiana in its Week 1 victory — allowing 420 yards through the…
