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1. J.T. Barrett 2.0 took so long because …
We all saw what J.T. Barrett was capable of last year when he reset the record books at Ohio State and the Big Ten conference before being injured against Michigan. They might build statues of Cardale Jones in Columbus for what he did in leading the Buckeyes to a national title – who’s still undefeated as a starter, by the way – but they build wins and a shot at another national title with Barrett calling the shots.
It’s not often you have an opportunity to second-guess a coach the caliber of Urban Meyer and be right, but you have to wonder what took so long to do what everyone else already knew. Jones is an imposing figure physically and has the arm of a Civil War cannon, but there is simply no doubt that the guy who was close to being a Heisman finalist last year, is the one that needs to lead this team going forward. Ohio State is once again national title good with Barrett’s legs, passing ability and command of the spread offense.
2. Let the Kyle Flood pink slip watch commence in earnest.
With an academic scandal in tow, the chances of Flood remaining as the head coach at the end of the football season in Piscataway is slim anyway, but a win over No. 1 might have been just enough to keep the vultures away. It was at least a good idea before Ohio State stepped off the bus.
Rutgers came in with energy and purpose, but in the end, it was too much Barrett, too much Elliott, and far too much of the OSU defense and skill position players to really have a shot. After this embarrassing performance from the Scarlet Knights, you have to wonder if the suits at Rutgers will start to fill out the pink slip, or wait until the end of the season. Then again, it is Rutgers. Maybe they’ll let Flood keep wearing the headset until the NCAA says otherwise.
3. Spartans vs. Buckeyes already. Please.
Can we just go ahead and get this thing on? Yeah, yeah, there’s football games to be played and you got to take it week-by-week and all those sorts of things, blah, blah, blah. Does anyone really think Ohio State is going to lose to Minnesota at home or on the road in Champaign? Is there really a legitimate shot that the Spartans fall to Nebraska the way they are dropping games, or against Maryland at home?
If the college football gods are playing nice between another kick-six in Atlanta and the improbable scoop and score in Ann Arbor, both will still be unblemished when the calendar turns to November 21. The hype and build up to that game, and the action on the field will be a college football masterpiece set on a palate of Midwestern beauty.Relatively speaking that time of year anyway.