College football: 25 biggest what-ifs of the 2010s

College football: 2010s biggest what-ifs: 13. Ohio State hands the keys to Joe Burrow

Ohio State fans will always kick themselves. For as far as they can remember, they’ve been a powerhouse. But they had no idea the kind of offensive weapon they had just languishing on their bench for years.

While J.T. Barrett was busy throwing incompletions, missing wide-open targets and attempting to run every time down the field in 2016, quarterback Joe Burrow was sitting patiently on the bench. Although he remained a member of the team for three seasons, Burrow barely saw the field. Frustrated by his lack of playing time, Burrow packed his bags and headed to LSU. And while he played decently in his first year with the squad, his second full season was one of the best you’ll ever see.

Burrow dominated just about everyone in college. He ran away with the Heisman after throwing for 5,671 yards in 2019. He also threw for a mind-numbing 60 touchdowns against only six picks. The road to a National Championship was an easy one as Burrow and LSU completed an undefeated season.

But what if he actually stayed with Ohio State? Considering that it’s been a number of years since they’ve won it all, Burrow could have elevated the program to even loftier heights. Teams such as the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide would have spent several years playing for second place.