Some unimpressive wins and performances from Ohio State while shifting between Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett during games hasn’t changed anything. Urban Meyer is sticking with Jones as his starter.
Cardale is going to start. The other guy has to pass him, and that hasn’t happened. He is the guy, unless he doesn’t perform well. It’s not him that’s causing the scoring problems. The entire offense is in a funk.
The Buckeyes have won their first three games but have been inconsistent offensively, struggling especially in the 20-13 win over Northern Illinois. While Jones has started in all three games, Barrett has gotten plenty of playing time so far: Relief in the opener at Virginia Tech, replaced the starter for a stretch in Week 2 against Hawaii and played the entire second half in relief against Northern Illinois after coming off the bench in the second quarter.
Jones is completing just 56.5% of his throws, including two touchdowns and three interceptions. Barrett in his time on the field hasn’t been a model of accuracy (57.1%, completed 64.7% as a starter last season) while throwing two touchdowns passes and one interceptions. Jones has also rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown. Barrett has gone for 65 yards on five carries.
It’s going to take more than some struggles from Jones to put Barrett in as the starter. The big change might be that Meyer stops shifting between them during games, and simply sticks to just one guy for an entire contest, hoping it fixes the issues the offense is having.
And what about the other, other guy? Braxton Miller? After lighting things up against Virginia Tech with two touchdowns, it’s been awfully quiet for him, including not catching a single pass in the win over the Huskies.