Last January, I wrote at length about how much fun it was rooting for the Buckeyes. To recap:
-"Ohio Against the World" wasn't just a clever slogan atop a gray sweatshirt on New Year's Day in New Orleans. It seamlessly became a mantra that every fan could connect with and rally behind after the questions and doubts that rained down on the Buckeyes throughout the season.
-I'm not sure if we'll ever see a third string quarterback light up the football field, regardless of the level of competition, as well as Twelve Gauge. Cardale Jones is not only a folk hero in Ohio now, but he's quickly grasping the pros social media can offer athletes.
-Joey Bosa trademarked his celebratory shrug with his play on the field, but Buckeye fans could emulate it off the field with their own pleasurable message of gesticulating to the skeptics they were going to be silenced by these players.
Of course, it ultimately wound up being the perfect script to watch unfold, ending with Ohio State being named the first, true "Undisputed Champions."
-"Ohio Against the World" wasn't just a clever slogan atop a gray sweatshirt on New Year's Day in New Orleans. It seamlessly became a mantra that every fan could connect with and rally behind after the questions and doubts that rained down on the Buckeyes throughout the season.
-I'm not sure if we'll ever see a third string quarterback light up the football field, regardless of the level of competition, as well as Twelve Gauge. Cardale Jones is not only a folk hero in Ohio now, but he's quickly grasping the pros social media can offer athletes.
-Joey Bosa trademarked his celebratory shrug with his play on the field, but Buckeye fans could emulate it off the field with their own pleasurable message of gesticulating to the skeptics they were going to be silenced by these players.
Of course, it ultimately wound up being the perfect script to watch unfold, ending with Ohio State being named the first, true "Undisputed Champions."
Many of the same cast of characters will return to try and claim consecutive College Football Playoff championships when fall practice begins in a couple of weeks. There appears to be no lack of focus or celebratory hangover from the program going all the way back to the winter. As soon as the clock in Arlington showed all zeros, Meyer declared "The Chase" complete. Now, "The Grind" to stay on top of the college football universe will serve as the Buckeye's mission. With this theme, Ohio State embraced the fact the hunters from last year will become the hunted this fall. Will it even matter for the Buckeyes during their regular season? Aside from Michigan State, their predators will be armed with not nearly enough ammunition to kill the Buckeyes' dreams of a repeat. I'd say there's about a 95% chance of Ohio State blowing out every opponent in their path on the way to the number one seed in the playoff. The 5% chance of derailment would result from either a Herculean effort from one of their opponents or complacency replacing competitiveness. Luckily, Ohio State's biggest question regarding the 2015 season is going to come down to a competition. And what a competition it's going to be.
That question, of course, is who will be the starting quarterback come September 7th? The quandary became less complicated with Braxton Miller's decision to change positions last week. The proven playmakers in Ezekiel Elliot, Michael Thomas, Curtis Samuel, Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson, Nick Vannett, and now the 2x Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, being on the field with the victor might render the decision meaningless. Joe Bauserman might look competent in this system for God's sake! The defense returns leaders across the front, in the linebacker corps, and in the secondary meaning the Silver Bullets have a chance to be among the national leaders in a variety of categories. If the Buckeyes have a chance to dominate on both sides of the ball, does it matter what proven, beloved, Heisman candidate, player takes the reign? I don't think so. First, both players are incredibly talented, which I'll get to in a little bit. Secondly, Urban Meyer's track record with quarterbacks is almost as impressive as the coaching tree he is beginning to plant. At Utah, Alex Smith became the number one pick in the NFL Draft. At Florida, Tim Tebow became one of the most decorated players in college football history. At Ohio State, Meyer's guise and acumen helped JT Barrett and Cardale Jones prepare for their respective calls of duty last season. Now, during the offseason, Barrett and Jones have both been seen taking larger leadership roles, gaining a greater knowledge of the playbook, and taking the battle and notoriety in stride, backed by the attitude and energy Meyer has pumped into the program. Come September 7th, only one man will ultimately get the nod from him to take the field for the first possession.
I believe that man is going to be JT Barrett. He stepped in last year at basically a moment's notice and became one of the most poised quarterbacks in the country. His name is etched in the record books, not only for Ohio State, but across the conference after only one season. He is mentioned in the same sentence as Drew Brees in regards to his accomplishments from last year. He finished fifth in Heisman voting. He combines Miller's ability to create explosive plays with his feet with Jones' ability to sling the ball around the field, albeit not quite as far. He glides across the field with the natural moxie of Russell Wilson. He has worked with Braxton Miller during his transition to receiver, showing the desired team first attitude a leader should have. As for Jones, he has just as good of a shot at winning the job. He performed above what was expected of him in the most important three game stretch in Ohio State history. He can run over linemen, run past linebackers, and throws the ball over the heads of defensive backs... from a knee. Oh, he can also unleash the hit stick on a defender should he make a mistake. His game doesn't illustrate quite as beautifully and naturally to the eye as Barrett's does, but the brute force and intense passion he plays with gets the job done just as well. He has matured off the field, evident by his Twitter account. He has a great chance of success in the NFL modeling Ben Roethlisberger, after his own ability benefits from more polish and experience.
I could go on, and every notable, college football journalist will the next few weeks, so I'll stop now. I think I've explained the point Meyer's decision won't have horrible consequences regardless of what direction he goes. He's choosing between watching Game of Thrones and watching Breaking Bad. When you look at a single point in time, one might be better than the other on that given day. But when you examine the whole work, you end up splitting hairs on what aspect of greatness you would be better off indulging.
J. Nave
That question, of course, is who will be the starting quarterback come September 7th? The quandary became less complicated with Braxton Miller's decision to change positions last week. The proven playmakers in Ezekiel Elliot, Michael Thomas, Curtis Samuel, Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson, Nick Vannett, and now the 2x Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, being on the field with the victor might render the decision meaningless. Joe Bauserman might look competent in this system for God's sake! The defense returns leaders across the front, in the linebacker corps, and in the secondary meaning the Silver Bullets have a chance to be among the national leaders in a variety of categories. If the Buckeyes have a chance to dominate on both sides of the ball, does it matter what proven, beloved, Heisman candidate, player takes the reign? I don't think so. First, both players are incredibly talented, which I'll get to in a little bit. Secondly, Urban Meyer's track record with quarterbacks is almost as impressive as the coaching tree he is beginning to plant. At Utah, Alex Smith became the number one pick in the NFL Draft. At Florida, Tim Tebow became one of the most decorated players in college football history. At Ohio State, Meyer's guise and acumen helped JT Barrett and Cardale Jones prepare for their respective calls of duty last season. Now, during the offseason, Barrett and Jones have both been seen taking larger leadership roles, gaining a greater knowledge of the playbook, and taking the battle and notoriety in stride, backed by the attitude and energy Meyer has pumped into the program. Come September 7th, only one man will ultimately get the nod from him to take the field for the first possession.
I believe that man is going to be JT Barrett. He stepped in last year at basically a moment's notice and became one of the most poised quarterbacks in the country. His name is etched in the record books, not only for Ohio State, but across the conference after only one season. He is mentioned in the same sentence as Drew Brees in regards to his accomplishments from last year. He finished fifth in Heisman voting. He combines Miller's ability to create explosive plays with his feet with Jones' ability to sling the ball around the field, albeit not quite as far. He glides across the field with the natural moxie of Russell Wilson. He has worked with Braxton Miller during his transition to receiver, showing the desired team first attitude a leader should have. As for Jones, he has just as good of a shot at winning the job. He performed above what was expected of him in the most important three game stretch in Ohio State history. He can run over linemen, run past linebackers, and throws the ball over the heads of defensive backs... from a knee. Oh, he can also unleash the hit stick on a defender should he make a mistake. His game doesn't illustrate quite as beautifully and naturally to the eye as Barrett's does, but the brute force and intense passion he plays with gets the job done just as well. He has matured off the field, evident by his Twitter account. He has a great chance of success in the NFL modeling Ben Roethlisberger, after his own ability benefits from more polish and experience.
I could go on, and every notable, college football journalist will the next few weeks, so I'll stop now. I think I've explained the point Meyer's decision won't have horrible consequences regardless of what direction he goes. He's choosing between watching Game of Thrones and watching Breaking Bad. When you look at a single point in time, one might be better than the other on that given day. But when you examine the whole work, you end up splitting hairs on what aspect of greatness you would be better off indulging.
J. Nave
