But right now, I want to look at what's ahead after this season.
As far as anyone knows, Braxton Miller is planning on returning to Ohio State for his senior season in 2015. When he first made this announcement after it was announced that he would miss the entire 2014 season with a shoulder injury, Buckeye fans were very happy.
None of us envisioned that JT Barrett would become one of the best quarterbacks in Ohio State history. And after that loss to Virginia Tech...
9/29 for 219 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INT...sacked seven times
I think after that game Buckeye Nation felt it would be a long season and couldn't wait for Miller's return in 2015.
But Barrett took that game and used it as fuel, he learned from it. And since then, he's been unstoppable.
Against Minnesota, JT Barrett broke two of Braxton Miller's rushing records, longest run ever by a quarterback (86 yard TD run) and most rushing yards in a single game by a QB (189). Barrett also surpassed Braxton Miller's total TD pass mark in a season (29 for Barrett, 24 for Miller).
Also, JT Barrett is one touchdown pass away from tying Troy Smith's school record of touchdown passes in a season of 30 (in 2006), with two games left that record should be broken.
This is Barrett's stat line for the season after the win at Minnesota:
165/258 2365 yards 64.0% completions 29 TD 8 INT
136 rushes 771 yards 5.7 yards per carry 9 TD
That's a season for many QB's around the country, and Barrett still has two games to improve on that!
Miller's best single season stat line:
162/255 2094 yards 63.5% completions 24 TD 7 INT (2013)
227 rushes 1271 yards 5.6 yards per carry 13 TD (2012)
Both are pretty damn good stat lines that most schools would take from their starting quarterback.
So if Braxton Miller stays true to what he said, and returns in 2015 to the Buckeyes fully healthy, what the hell is Urban Meyer going to do?
Before becoming the head coach at The Ohio State University, he spent a season working for ESPN/ABC calling games. I remember listening to him just gush about Braxton Miller, and I still think that Meyer feels the same way.
I believe that part of Meyer would want to stay loyal to Miller. An old sports adage is that you never lose your job to injury, and that's why Miller isn't on the field this season. Nothing academic, no off the field scandals. Braxton Miller, from everything I have ever read or heard, is a great guy. Goes to class, does well in his classes, doesn't draw un-needed attention to himself or the school, stays out of trouble.
However, he got to watch Barrett blossom right before his eyes. Can you bench the quarterback that is likely going to hold some school records when this year is over?
Barrett holds four of the top 9 total offense outputs in Buckeye football history:
There is a chance that he could own the top spot in this list by the end of the season.
Miller is a weapon. He's the better runner, and likely a better overall athlete.
However, I think Barrett is the better QUARTERBACK. And honestly, I don't think anyone (including the coaches) saw this coming from him.
I think it's going to be a hard choice to make going into the 2015 season. But if I had to make the choice, Barrett would be my starting quarterback because I feel he's better at that specific job, throwing the football.
Also, Miller has proven to be injury prone. He's missed games before this season due to injuries. There's no guarantee that he can stay on the field.
And what a nightmare would it be for defenses if both Barrett and Miller were in the backfield together? A handoff to Miller? A motion where Miller takes the snap? A read-option where one or the other ends up with the ball? Miller motioning to the slot or out wide and catching a pass as a receiver? I think Miller could play a "slash" roll wonderfully.
The only thing I am absolutely sure of, is that I am glad it's not my job to make this decision. When the time comes, I won't envy Urban Meyer one bit.
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