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Film of JT Barrett vs Michigan, JT Barrett should be the starter

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CosmoKramer's picture
July 2, 2015 at 11:30pm
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To set the stage, Michigan had a top 10 defense last year statistically:

15th vs the Run

19th vs the Pass

7th in Total Defense

This is just to show that Michigan wasn't a total slouch on defense last year, and these results from Barrett have substance.

The whole film is above (Courtesy of Eleven Warriors), and there are countless plays that show why JT is the leader of this offense that runs it the best.  We all can agree he is the most accurate of the three (Cardale is much more accurate than people give him credit for though).  JT also is the best pre-snap QB, I think most would agree with that as well.   Barrett also is the better decision maker on the read-option, even better than Braxton.  This might be a little more contentious, but most would  agree with this as well (I think).

 

Now, looking at the film here is why I think JT is the clear choice for the starting job based on two plays:

With 24 seconds left in the first half from the Michigan 35, Ohio State is down 14-7 and the clock is running.  JT drops back and sits in the pocket and goes through four progessions and gives a pump fake knowing that Ohio State needs yards and to conserve time.  Taking off and running (which Miller and a lesser extent Jones would have done much earlier from a well formed pocket) wasn't the smart play early, but it was all that was left since he exhausted all his options.  And here was the result:

An unbelievable run that showed speed and elusiveness that some seem to think he doesn't possess (he is no Braxton Miller, but he's much closer than many tOSU fans think).

The second play occurs on Ohio State's first drive of the second half.  From our own 45 yard line, JT takes the snap in the shotgun and immediately looks down field.  Michigan is in man-to-man coverage, with 8 in the box and the field safety 10 yards from the LOS.  Seeing this pre-snap and knowing he has the speedy Devin Smith running a deep post, that's his first read post-snap.  And it's open.  Barrett fires the ball on a frozen rope 50 yards in the air, in stride, on a dime to Smith.  

This isn't a throw that Miller can make regularly.  Honestly, even with his cannon, this isn't a throw that Cardale has shown he can make in limited appearances. The window was tight since the other flanker was running deep as well and there was help underneath.  And this ball was launched.  Again, many tOSU fans undersell the strength of JT's arm. He showed it first against Michigan State where we finally opened up the offense.  And showed it in subsequent games until his unfortunate injury.

Now, this thread isn't a bash of Braxton Miller or Cardale Jones.  Miller is the best runner of the three, and certainly the most dynamic.  But he doesn't get the tough yards that Cardale gets.  Getting tough yards is something that JT also excels at, though. See: Penn State goaline  with an injured knee.  He also doesn't have a stronger arm than Cardale.  But he does have enough strength to get the ball over the top, and that's shown more than a few times last year when Meyer and Herman trusted him enough to make those throws.  

 

For all the reasons that all buckeye fans agree he possesses the best skills (accuracy, read-option decisions, poise) and for those that are undersold by many (running prowess both power and quickness, and arm strength), these said reasons are why JT Barrett will be the starter in Blacksburg on Monday night in 67 days.  It can't get here soon enough.

 

 

Cosmo Kramer, The Assman

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

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