Hey Joe: OSU writer says Buckeyes must throw vs. MSU

Thanks to Doug Lesmerises, tireless Ohio State beat writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, for answering my (i.e. Joe Rexrode’s) OSU questions this week:

Q: OK, so maybe Michigan State linebacker Taiwan Jones overstated it this week when he said J.T. Barrett is a “way better quarterback” than Braxton Miller. But is it overstating it to say that Barrett is better in some ways? And next year … who’s starting?

A: Barrett looks like he’s better at running the offense in rhythm and distributing the ball to playmakers. To be fair, though, the Buckeyes have those playmakers now in Urban Meyer’s third year for the first time since Meyer arrived, and the talk all off-season was that Miller would be running an offense like this himself, with less asked of Miller to carry the load.

So he very well may have done this if healthy. But Barrett certainly is further along making throws and running the show than Miller was at the same age. While Barrett is athletic and can run, he’s not as dynamic as Miller in the open field. That should make life a little easier on Pat Narduzzi this week.

I think Barrett will have a very good Ohio State career, but given a choice right now, I’d take Miller overall, even if Barrett may be more of a pure “quarterback.” As for next year, Miller’s projected 12-month recovery time might take him right into the start of the season. Until I have reason to think otherwise, I believe that Miller will be back next year and be the guy, though Barrett won’t just sit on the bench and waste away. They’ll find a way to use him, too, I believe.