Heisman Trophy Watch Week 12: Trevone Boykin, Marcus Mariota Move Up

Nov 8, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

5. J.T. Barrett, Quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1, 5-0 in Big Ten)

Last Game: 16-of-26 (61.5%) for 300 Yards, 14 Carries for 86 Yards (6.1 YPC), 5 Total Touchdowns

For 2014 Season: 150-of-233 (64.4%) for 2,156 Yards, 119 Carries for 582 Yards (4.9 YPC), 34 Total Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions

Who is Braxton Miller again? After drawing the ire of Ohio State fans earlier in the year with a loss to Virginia Tech as he replaced the injured starter, J.T. Barrett has now put the Buckeyes right back in the College Football Playoff picture with a sensational performance on a huge night against the Michigan State Spartans.

Barrett’s numbers on the year, all of a sudden, are as good as any quarterback’s numbers, and he keeps coming through in the biggest moments for the Buckeyes. To show up the way he did for his team when they were an underdog, on the road, going up against a great defense was remarkable. Add him to the list of quarterbacks to perfectly execute the Urban Meyer spread offense.

And now, we have got to start considering him one of the Heisman leaders. Barrett has played too great all season to just be left out, and an early-season loss could be completely nullified if they keep winning and a few breaks happen. So as Ohio State thrust itself back into the national title talk Saturday, Barrett forced himself into relevance again as well. And the rest of the country should take notice.

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