Ohio State Football: 5 bold predictions for Cotton Bowl vs. USC

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State won 27-21. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. JT Barrett struggles early, finishes strong

The pressure is on. No, JT Barrett isn’t going to be a first-round NFL draft pick, but he has been feeling the pressure of the media, fans and coaches as the team’s leader. Everyone just expects him to lead the Buckeyes with ease, but he knows better than to take anything for granted.

The Cotton Bowl will be a tough matchup for the senior quarterback, even if the Trojans don’t have the best defense the Buckeyes have faced this year.

Barrett has been great in big games, but there are times when he comes out of the gates slowly before warming up and looking like an All-American. That’s going to happen yet again versus USC as he will throw a couple of shaky passes early on, maybe even an interception, but slowly gain confidence heading into the final two quarters.

The senior will struggle through most of the first half before turning things around and leading the Buckeyes’ offense back to its high-powered self. Barrett will complete less than 50 percent of his passes for 90 yards and an interception through two quarters, but will finish with 275 yards, three touchdowns and he will complete nearly 65 percent of his throws.

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