For J.T. Barrett, Ohio State’s on-again, off-again quarterback since 2014 who is finally entrenched as the Buckeyes’ offensive leader, the visit Saturday to No. 14 Oklahoma represents nothing new.
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We already mentioned that Oklahoma has has given up eight sacks this year, five in the opener before backup QB Austin Kendall was sacked an additional three times versus Louisiana Monroe. However, the Buckeyes’ defense held Peacock from moving into the endzone once again.
Ohio State’s defense is giving up just 6.5 points per game after two weeks, tied for third among 128 FBS schools. Oklahoma has likely learned from its Week 1 gaffes. “And you see the athleticism, the speed everywhere”.
Oklahoma is a whole different monster, though.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield a year ago threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns with just seven interceptions, and rushed for 405 yards and seven scores. “The 6’1” quarterback and Texas Tech transfer came in fourth in the Heisman vote a year ago.
Consider the first two games anxiety relief. He has 5 touchdown passes, and at the same time, has yet to throw an interception. Barrett is a dual-threat QB by nature and risky outside the pocket, but he has looked this year and in 2015 to run less often than in his breakout rookie season.
“That adjustment, they made [it]”, Schiano said.
It should be mentioned here that the Sooners numbers are hurt by the fact that they faced a very talented Cougars signal caller in Greg Ward on September 3rd; and Ward has more than a passing resemblance to OSU’s JT Barrett, which could prove to be valuable experience for Oklahoma this weekend. He tends to create things.
He also throws the deep ball better than ever this year, for what it’s worth. “At this level? I thought he’d be a very good player for us and grow into that position”.
Ohio State and Oklahoma remain two teams with some of the most winningest programs in history, specifically placing fourth and fifth, respectively.
The test for the Ohio State defense will be a big one this week. “What they want to do and how they want to attack you”. Look for him to be the man shutting down the run game of OSU’s opponents and providing a veteran presence on the field. If Urban Meyer needed another piece of motivation for his Buckeyes, he just received it.
“As a coach that was the greatest thrill for me at the end”, said Switzer after the game.
The Buckeyes are going up against a unsafe Sooners this weekend. “We’ve got to establish the running game”.
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“This one’s real, real, real”, Meyer said after the Buckeyes outscored its first two overmatched opponents 125-13. He and his receivers did what they wanted to as well. “We don’t have the one guy that’s your go-to guy yet”.
