Meyer takes wait-and-see approach with Barrett
INDIANAPOLIS — Though J.T. Barrett has been medically cleared to play in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer stopped short on Friday of saying that the quarterback would play.
Meyer spoke at Lucas Oil Stadium before the Buckeyes had their walk-through practice, which was closed to the media.
“Those are all decisions I’m going to make tomorrow,” Meyer said. “I want to see where (Barrett is in his recovery).”
Meyer said he was “still having conversations” with quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson regarding Barrett as the Buckeyes finished preparation for undefeated and No. 4 Wisconsin.
Meyer confirmed that Barrett had a surgical procedure on his right knee on Sunday. Barrett’s right knee got bumped, apparently by a photographer or cameraman, at the start of Michigan game. He left the game in the third quarter.
Meyer said Barrett threw during practice on Wednesday and “practiced full” on Thursday.
Barrett has rehabbed the knee 15 hours a day this week, according to Meyer.
“Just don’t put anything past J.T.,” he said. “He said, ‘Coach, I’ll be fine.’ And then we went about our business and watched him rehab. Every time I walked by the training room when I got in at 6 a.m., he’s there. And when I go home at night he’s there.”
Even so, it’s still a question whether Barrett can be effective, particularly because running is a big part of his game.
“It’s very delicate,” Meyer said. “That’s something we’re going to watch during the course of the game. And some game-time decisions will be made.”
Meyer said that it wouldn’t be unprecedented for Barrett to play so soon after arthroscopic surgery.
“I’ve had a player do it before — that was scoped earlier in the week and played,” he said. “And then I’ve had others who can’t. The body has to react a certain way. And his has been very positive.”
Dwayne Haskins Jr., who rallied the Buckeyes to a 31-20 victory over Michigan by leading drives that led to the game’s final 17 points, would play if Barrett can’t.
Meyer said the redshirt freshman has made an “incredible amount of progress” this year, particularly with the way he rebounded after his fumble was returned for a touchdown against Illinois.
“He came back and played with energy, emotion, which we expect out of our quarterback, and it carried over and he practiced well the following week,” Meyer said. “And when his number was called, he played
high-level football for us. So (there is) a lot of confidence in him right now among our players and the staff.”
Meyer said Haskins could be included in the game plan even if Barrett is healthy enough to play effectively.
A victory over Wisconsin would give the Buckeyes their second Big Ten title in six years under Meyer. It also would keep alive their chances for the College Football Playoff.
If the Buckeyes make the playoff, they would play in the Rose Bowl or, more likely, the Sugar Bowl.
If they don’t make the playoff, there are so many variables that it’s difficult to predict their bowl game. The Orange, Peach, Cotton and Fiesta bowls are the most likely destinations.