Big Ten Power Rankings: Don’t sleep on the Iowa Hawkeyes
By Mark Rogers
Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Michael Thomas (3) hauls in pass during the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Barrett earned his first start vs Rutgers and responded with a nearly flawless effort in hitting on 14 of 18 for 223 yards, rushing for 102 yards and accounting for three touchdowns. Barrett’s red zone performance vs Maryland and Penn State and the complete game he turned in against the Scarlet Knights is by far the most productive quarterback play we’ve seen out of an Ohio State quarterback this season.
Few expect Barrett’s absence to cost the Buckeyes’ vs Minnesota this Saturday at home. Will the cohesion gained offensively be lost with the November 21st date with Michigan State looming? Will Barrett’s leadership status be compromised? Those are intangibles that can’t be measured. We can only evaluate the results and attempt to perceive a connection.
This is the most talented team in the Big Ten. It played like a No. 1 team the past two weeks. Cardale Jones, it’s your time to keep championship hopes alive. It’s a role you know very well.
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1
Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0, 4-0)
Last week: Bye
Last rank: 1
More distractions.
After a couple of weeks of relative calm surrounding the Ohio State football team, one of the team’s leaders made a poor decision. J.T. Barrett’s one game suspension for operating a vehicle while intoxicated will undoubtedly affect the team. Will it cost the Buckeyes? That remains to be seen.
Barrett earned his first start vs Rutgers and responded with a nearly flawless effort in hitting on 14 of 18 for 223 yards, rushing for 102 yards and accounting for three touchdowns. Barrett’s red zone performance vs Maryland and Penn State and the complete game he turned in against the Scarlet Knights is by far the most productive quarterback play we’ve seen out of an Ohio State quarterback this season.
Few expect Barrett’s absence to cost the Buckeyes’ vs Minnesota this Saturday at home. Will the cohesion gained offensively be lost with the November 21st date with Michigan State looming? Will Barrett’s leadership status be compromised? Those are intangibles that can’t be measured. We can only evaluate the results and attempt to perceive a connection.
This is the most talented team in the Big Ten. It played like a No. 1 team the past two weeks. Cardale Jones, it’s your time to keep championship hopes alive. It’s a role you know very well.