Ohio State Football: JT Barrett, Buckeyes need to let it fly

Tomorrow, the Ohio State football team begins their redemption world (United States) tour following a disappointing end to their 2016-2017 run. They’ll face conference foe Indiana, who brought out the worst in JT Barrett in 2016. Now, they’re positioned to re-write the narrative.

The last time we saw Ohio State’s JT Barrett, the senior committed quarterbacking atrocities in a 31-0 loss to Clemson. However, the game wasn’t a disease but a symptom, by all accounts, of a confusing season.

The Texas native has all the talent in the world; it was there in 2014 before a fractured ankle ended his freshman run. His talent has been on display from time to time since, but not often enough for Buckeye fans. Upon review of the Oklahoma contest in 2016 Buckeyes, that talent must reemerge, and the first game versus Indiana would be a great time for that to happen.

Under new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, the former Indiana Hoosier head coach, Barrett has a perfect moment to start on the right foot. Ideally, Wilson will have familiarity with the system the Hoosiers ran in 2016, thus finding schemes that can rip through their defense in 2017.

Against the Hoosiers, Barrett went 9-of-21 through the air, completing just 42.9 percent of his passes last season. Despite a 38-17 win, Barrett’s completion percentage was the second worst of any start in his career; the only worse outing was a 9-of-29 effort against Virginia Tech in his second start as the Buckeyes quarterback (Ohio State lost that game 35-21).

There’s no reason Barrett shouldn’t start letting in fly against the Hoosiers

Despite a 2016 campaign with career lows in completion percentage (61.5 percent) and quarterback rating (135.3), it’s the young man’s moment to shine. Lost on fans, perhaps, is Barrett’s status as a senior. He truly has nothing to prove to the student section, this one is about a man and his team.

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JT Barrett still doesn’t have a Heisman on his shelf; he’s in full control of his chance to grab one. He doesn’t have the championship starts on the books; those belonged to Cardale Jones.

Now, the Buckeyes roster is loaded with talent; Barrett need to put the ball in their hands.

So, to Kevin Wilson it bares the question, why not let him show off the hose? Barrett is an accomplished runner; everyone and their cousin knows that much. He trailed only Mike Weber in team rushing yards in 2016 (1096 for Weber, 845 for Barrett).

Showing off that arm in a game, which, on paper looks like a blowout, can only boost the confidence of Barrett. Additionally, it’ll boost the whole offensive unit.

Next: Competition in Practice Prepares for Excellence

Let the Ohio State offense get started the right way in 2017, otherwise we’re due for another “defense or die” season.

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