HARD TO BARR’
Meyer should think t wice before replacing OSU’s senior QB in wake of loss
Urban Meyer made the right decision. He didn’t let emotion get the best of him, didn’t allow the frustration and disappointment of the worst Ohio State loss at The Horseshoe in 18 years get the best of him.
Shortly after the Buckeyes’ 31-16 loss to Oklahoma, Meyer was asked if he was thinking about making a quarterback change, to which he said, “no,” leaving little to the imagination.
He shouldn’t make a change, either. One underwhelming performance against a high-caliber opponent shouldn’t cost J.T. Barrett his job. Barrett has done too much in his time in Columbus — he’s a two-time top-10 Heisman Trophy finalist, a national champion, the first three-time captain in Buckeyes history who’s 27-5 in his career as a starter — for that. But the Ohio State coach has a golden opportunity over the next month to look at an alternative, too.
Barrett has to remain the starter. From the comments after the defeat it’s clear his teammates believe in the fifth-year senior. That matters.
“I have 100 percent confidence in J.T.,” senior center and captain Billy Price told Cleveland.com. “He has gotten us as a program to a point where most haven’t. The entire program, the offense, the defense, has a lot of confidence in J.T.”
But Meyer should also take a look at strong-armed redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins — a former four-star recruit nicknamed by former safety Malik Hooker as “a freak” — over the next four games as well. Now is the perfect time. The schedule is Charminsoft over the next month — home games against Army, UNLV and Maryland sandwiched around a visit to Big Ten punching-bag Rutgers.
Start Barrett, but take a look at Haskins. If Barrett struggles, insert the 6-foot-3 Haskins. In blowouts, and there are likely to be a few over the next few weeks, give Haskins some reps.
This loss wasn’t all on Barrett, who completed 19-of-35 passes for 183 yards and an interception. The defense was shredded, to the tune of 490 yards of total offense. Ohio State lacks experienced down-thefield playmakers. It misses Curtis Samuel. But it’s also clear Barrett’s arm is a detriment. We saw it last year against top opponents who keep him in the pocket, and we’re seeing it again now.
Maybe Haskins provides a spark, maybe his big arm plays. Maybe he can help down the road when the schedule stiffens again, when Ohio State faces the likes of Penn State, Michigan and Nebraska, must-win games if it hopes to reach the play- off. Maybe he isn’t ready. It can’t hurt to find out.
Jackson hopes repeat isn’t in cards
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson produced 525 yards and six touchdowns, again proving to be college football’s very own human highlight f ilm. The Clemson defense notched 11 sacks in a statement-making win over Auburn. The Cardinals and Tigers meet Saturday in an early-season ACC Atlantic showdown that could determine the division winner now that Florida State is without star quarterback Deondre Francois for the season.
The teams gave us a classic a year ago in Death Valley, a 42-36 Clemson victory in which Jackson enhanced his résumé even in defeat.
The encore promises to be just as intriguing — arguably the most dynamic player in the country faces possibly the nation’s best defensive front.
Franklin not afraid to take Pitt shot
It’s pretty clear that loss to Pittsburgh last year still bothers James Franklin.
How could it not? Without that early-season setback, Penn State likely reaches the playoff. The Nittany Lions coach left little doubt he hasn’t forgotten after Saturday’s 33-14 victory, taking an unneeded shot at the Panthers.
“I know last year for their win [against us], it was like their Super Bowl,” he said unprompted. “But for us, this was just like beating Akron.”
Franklin tried to talk back the comments immediately, claiming each game is like a Super Bowl for Penn State, because of how important every Saturday is. But it was obvious the loss bothered Franklin and his players, with Saquon Barkley saying he believes Pittsburgh “took it too far” in its celebration.
Clearly, Penn State is onto bigger things now. Its coach should act accordingly rather than throwing shade at an inferior opponent.