The 11W Football Mailbag is the only stop you need for answers to your most pressing questions about Ohio State's next matchup. Have a question? Ask it, and if we can, we'll answer it.
We all saw how smooth the offense looked with J.T. Barrett in the game last week, we didn't throw as much, but is there something I'm missing with Cardale Jones? Aside from a couple plays, he hasn't looked like the Cardale from 2014. I know we're really missing Devin Smith and Evan Spencer, but with the weapons on this offense, we shouldn't be experiencing as many growing pains as we have been. — Adamlaungraj
Might as well get the quarterback questions out of the way first. To answer your question, I think Jones hasn't necessarily played that poorly this season. I wouldn't say he's progressed or regressed in 2015 — he's just been there.
Fans have the final three games of 2014 seared into their brains and those performances from not only Jones but the rest of the offense is what they expect to see every Saturday. Ohio State might get near that point by the end of the season, but I doubt it. Last year was last year, and that team went absolutely bonkers to win it all. This team is very good and could very well win it all again, but the story of last season was so, so rare.
Jones, to me, looks like he's been pressing this season trying to not only hold onto the starting position but replicate what he did in 2014. Also, a new play caller, quarterbacks coach, the lack of a true deep threat and tremendous blocking on the outside were working against him from Day 1.
The blocking was better last week against Penn State, but I think Urban Meyer saw Jones' ridiculous potential based off his physical tools and took a chance with him knowing Barrett was always in his back pocket, staying ready. Jones didn't work out, and Meyer wouldn't divulge much as to why Wednesday, but the bottom line is this: 2015 is an entirely different team and season than 2014. That book is closed, and Barrett fits the offense better as it is right now with the spread principles and skill guys Meyer's recruited to Columbus.
I honestly don't have a preference for who is behind the center, but with a beat up Rutgers secondary, do we see some successful shots downfield this week? — AuglaizeDonuts
I think there's a decent chance of that, but don't bet the rent on it. Barrett's only thrown the ball nine times in the last month, and it's pretty evident his legs figure to be a large part of the game plan at Rutgers after what we saw Saturday against Penn State.
Ohio State needs to build up to a position where its comfortable and able to hit some shots downfield, but a weak schedule permits it to largely get away without doing it until the end of next month. Michael Thomas deserves the ball, and Jalin Marshall and Braxton Miller can get behind their defenders. Just a matter of if Meyer's ready to pull the trigger.
With J.T. being named starter, what do you see Cardale's role being against Rutgers? Strictly mop-up, or does he get meaningful snaps? What kind of packages could we see put in play for him? — Earle and Steve-OH
Based on what Meyer said on his call-in show Thursday — Jones is "just a shoestring away" — I don't think Barrett will come out of the game unless he gets hurt. Meyer made the decision to switch to him. He needs to stick with it.
If I had to guess, I would say Jones plays in mop-up duty for the rest of the season.
When Urban said early on this year that the "spread" "read option" wasn't a part of the offense anymore, was that just lip service? I still saw some read option with Jones. But with J.T. the offense is basically read option (power spread) as we saw. Why would Urban say that early on? — Bucks4Nuts
I truly believe Meyer wanted to try and implement a power spread attack with Jones that had a downfield passing game off play-action. Jones' mega right arm allows that to be a possibility, but Meyer's realized he just doesn't have the horses like he did last year to do that. No disrespect to guys at wide receiver, but none of them are Devin Smith. None of them will ever be Devin Smith, a guy who could blow past everybody yet had the uncanny ability to jump up and make plays on the ball down the field. There's a reason he was a second round NFL Draft pick.
As far as why Meyer would say it, who knows. He knew he had a really good offensive line and one of the country's top running backs in Ezekiel Elliott, so he might have thought if the deep passing game came along defenses wouldn't really know how to stop his offense.
Wouldn't be a mailbag without the question, does Ezekiel Elliott continue his 100-yard streak this week against the Scarlet Knights? One more, do you think Elliott is being shorted in the Heisman Trophy talks right now? He's not putting up the fantasy numbers like LSU running back Leonard Fournette, but his overall performance (blocking, receiving, rushing) looks to be much better and his rushing yards are no joke either. Before the season, Ohio State fans were hyped about having upwards of four players in consideration for the award. Elliott is still up there to an extent, but do you see anyone from Ohio State making that trip to New York? If not, how much will the player with the best chances have to step up their game to make it? — Adamlaungraj and KDearthVader20
I still believe Ezekiel Elliott is the best chance Ohio State has to winning the Heisman Trohpy this season. That was my opinion before the season began, and it sits the same through seven games.
Fournette's numbers are absurd (150 carries, 1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns), but Elliott's (148 carries, 988 yards, 11 touchdowns) aren't really that far behind. They both have highlight reel plays, but Fournette's importance to his team I think outweighs Elliott's just a teeny bit. If Elliott wasn't in the lineup every Saturday for Ohio State, the offense wouldn't nearly be the same, but at least the Buckeyes have some talent on the outside in guys like Michael Thomas, Braxton Miller and Jalin Marshall. The Tigers doesn't really have that skill out there, so Fournette is their first, second and sometimes third-best option to move the ball.
I do believe Elliott's been overshadowed so far this season in Heisman Trophy discussions, but mainly because of the Ohio State quarterback situation. If he continues to rip off 100-yard rushing performances and score touchdowns — which he'll continue Saturday at Rutgers — he'll get an invitation to New York. He'll need some crazy games to compete with Fournette, though, who is the clear leader right now.
So far this season Ohio State has seemed to play down to its competition at times and haven't put up the numbers us fans have hoped for against lesser competition. How do you see the game against a hapless Rutgers team playing out? They are a Big Ten team and it is a night game, so does OSU finally roll and put up 50+ or do we see another slow start? — BuckeyeCWRU
Meyer mentioned Thursday on his radio show that a fast start "is on the checklist this week" of things Ohio State is turning its focus ahead of a trip to Rutgers. Barrett should help that, just because I think the offense will be more efficient with him at quarterback. However, we still haven't seen a stellar passing performance from Barrett in 2015. He's only thrown the ball 44 times so far this year. I understand the offense wasn't solely his the first seven games, but it is now. How does he respond?
There's a really good chance Ohio State puts up 50 or more points Saturday, but I am not counting on it. Rutgers isn't the strongest team, but it's not just going to roll over. Until I see a scoring output like that, I won't predict the offense doing it.
I hear a lot of coaches bang the drum that they treat every opponent the same. I get the feeling Urban Meyer isn't really that type of guy. I get that this could be partially wishful thinking because OSU hasn't dominated like we expected, but do you think Meyer is perhaps treating these games as tune-ups before OSU hits the difficult part of their schedule? — Kangarooman
No. Meyer is so obsessed with winning that he's going to do everything he can to keep doing it, which he's done so far this season. Everything is building for the matchups with Michigan State and Michigan, but "choosing to not dominate" usually ends up in losses in college football.
Between the QB, O-line, WRs, play calling, etc., what is the reason for the lack of explosion from the passing offense? Not saying that 38 points isn't good but the passing offense still doesn't look smooth. Edit: this was posted prior to the QB change. To add to the question, will that be the difference maker? — MrWiley7
Barrett will be a difference maker, but Ohio State's passing game is a far ways from being where it was at the end of last season. Now that it is Barrett's job, however, I think it'll start progressing forward. But even if it doesn't, are you against watching Ohio State rack up more than 300 rushing yards on good defenses to win games by four touchdowns?
Barrett should be a nice boost in the passing game, but when he played earlier this season he missed throws and tossed interceptions just like Jones. It's a growing process, and outside of Michael Thomas, Braxton Miller and Jalin Marshall, the wide receivers have left a lot to be desired this year.
Let's talk about the run defense. It's given up several big runs and lots of yardage lately. Should we be concerned about it? Yes, no, maybe so? — TennBuckeye19
Sure. Allowing a kid who's 18 years old and coming off an ankle sprain nearly run for 200 yards on your home turf is pretty alarming, for any team.
Penn State had success running right where Joshua Perry used to be after he left with an ankle injury. He practiced in small portions this week and should play, but the onus is on Dante Booker to play better to sure up that side of the rushing defense. Also, the defensive line needs to be better at getting off blocks and making tackles on interior runs.
Who (or what lineup) steps in for Tommy Schutt? Do you think we see the rush front more then just obvious passing downs? — Hovenaut and BuckeyeFreak4844
Dovetailing off the question before, the need to fill in for Schutt is crucial moving forward. I think Ohio State will be OK against Rutgers, but if he continues to miss time after the bye week, things could get interesting.
Look for Donovan Munger, Mike Hill and Joel Hale to be the main guys controlling the middle with Adolphus Washington. I don't think we'll see the rush front more than just on passing downs, unless Larry Johnson believes that group is the best option to stop the run, too. In order for that to happen, Hill, Munger and Hale will all collectively have to be struggling quite a bit.
I don't know much about Rutgers - In 10 words or less can you tell me all I need to know? — Blocko330
Kyle Flood's lone hope rests on Leonte Carroo's ankle. Does that work?
If Leonte Carroo plays, will Ohio State's cornerbacks be able to contain him to 70 yards and no touchdowns? If he is, indeed, expected to play, will he be at 100 percent? If he can't go, or isn't 100 percent, do you think their passing game will suffer to the extent that it'll be just about completely ineffective? Or do you think Chris Laviano is a good enough quarterback for the Scarlet Knights to pose a viable threat through the air, regardless? — 1MechEng and Buckeye Phi
Leonte Carroo is a top-10 player in the Big Ten. The guy should be in the NFL right now, but decided to play out his eligibility for reasons that are beyond me.
I don't think he'll be 100 percent, but he'll be close, which is good enough for him to play well. Since he isn't at 100 percent, though, the chances of a re-injury that knocks him out for the rest of the game increase. If Carroo isn't playing up to his capability — which, like I said, is unlikely — or isn't in the lineup for whatever reason, the Scarlet Knights have some guys who can still play.
Andre Patton, Carlton Agudosi, Janarion Grant, Matt Flanagan, Charles Scharff and Justin Goodwin all have at least 10 receptions this season. Carroo is the best of the bunch and a game-changer, but Chris Laviano isn't afraid to get them the ball and see what they can do so the passing game won't be ineffective.
For your first question, I think Carroo scores at least once and tallies more than 100 yards receiving.
Which team will have the best receiver on the field? Which defense is best suited to stop the opposing passing attack? — 82Spencer
Really good question, Spencer. If Carroo was 100 percent, I'd give him the slight edge over Michael Thomas. Because he's not, I'll go with Thomas. Ohio State's defense is best suited to stop the opposing passing attack, just because it has better athletes and coaches.
This year OSU has been bitten by the injury bug on both sides of the ball. Do you see this catching up to them at some point this year? Especially on defense with the lack of depth in the secondary and injuries to the DL and LB do we see a drop off in performance this week or some other time going forward? — BuckeyeCWRU
Absolutely. Joshua Perry needs to get fully healthy, and quick. I don't think he'll be full-go Saturday, but after a bye week he should be fine. Erick Smith's injury is a little different, because we don't know the exact extent of it. The absence of him and ongoing suspension of Damon Webb is drawing the depth of the secondary pretty thin. But, as long as the starting core of Gareon Conley, Eli Apple, Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell stay healthy, things should stay consistent.
There is a chance of a drop off in performance from those areas you mentioned if players don't get healthy after the bye week or if more injuries happen. Then again, I feel like that's the case with every position.
I thought Conley looked a bit lost out there on a couple of throws. Do you see this becoming an issue with QBs that can throw it downfield? On 3rd-and-longs I was nervous he was going to be targeted and get a PI call. — KBonay
Conley definitely was challenged by Christian Hackenberg and Penn State's big wide receivers last week. There's no doubt about that.
However, he's played well all season and the coaching staff has the utmost confidence in him to perform the way he's capable.
As far as your nervousness on 3rd-and-longs, I'm not sure I can help you there. Every cornerback in America is prone for a pass interference call at one point or another. The game's changed so much now that a simple grab of a receiver results in a flag. It's that way in the NFL, too.
Besides, if it's 3rd-and-long, Ohio State possesses a pretty stellar pass rush to get in the face of the opposing quarterback.
Why can't Rutgers, and for that matter Maryland, clean up on the kids in their area? I suppose it's like Illinois too, but these teams would be better if they were able to get the top talent in their areas. Do they need better coaches? How do their facilities rank? — Brutus360
I cannot speak to the facilities specifically because I haven't seen them, but DJ posted a pretty cool photo in Thursday's Skull Session about the state of the Big Ten's amenities. Clearly, Rutgers needs some help in the area.
Above all, though, programs like Rutgers, Maryland and Illinois need better coaches if they want to get top recruits and compete for Big Ten titles. Power programs like Ohio State and Alabama are going to pick and choose which guys they want and try to get them, but better coaches in those areas would do better to keep top talent home.
Will Sam Hubbard get double-teamed again thus freeing up Bosa for more sacks? — Icouldnotgofor3
I have no idea, but Hubbard's performances are certainly going to start making opponent account for him more than they have in the past.
What do you expect the atmosphere/experience to be like for those of us that are making the trip? — Buckeyes01752
Eh? Does that work? High Point Solutions Stadium doesn't even hold 60,000 people, but since it is a night game and the No. 1 team in the country is paying a visit, I'll bet their fans will be rowdy. I also believe there will be plenty of Buckeye fans present, because that's just how they travel.
Scarlet Knights versus The Scarlet and Gray....so what do you wear to the game? Black jersey? — Maka
Where whatever tips your fancy, I'd say. The black jerseys will continue making appearances, though, because so many people bought them ahead of the Penn State game.
When are we going to see some these young receivers step up and contribute? It's a position of need, what is the hold up? — TimHBomb
Great point, and that's something that a bulk of us here at Eleven Warriors have been wondering for quite a while now. I think Meyer's nervous about burning K.J. Hill's redshirt — though I have no idea why — but the tendonitis in Johnnie Dixon's knees isn't going away and for whatever reason James Clark hasn't received much of a shot.
Again, the injuries to Noah Brown and Corey Smith really depleted that spot. To your point, it's a position of need, but Ohio State's not turned to the young guys yet there and continues to win anyway.
Is this the game Parris Campbell gets to atone for his drop against Virginia Tech? — BUCKEYE3M
Nope. Meyer said Thursday Campbell's out "a couple more weeks." I'd look for him after the bye.
Is there any chance of a Mike Weber sighting this week? — YTOWNBUCKI
Nope. Meyer said he's nearly back at full strength, but the fact Bri'onte Dunn and Warren Ball got touches last week in mop-up duty all but sealed Weber's redshirt for me.
Is Antwuan Jackson a lost cause? He appears to be taking four scheduled trips to Auburn coming up. I kind of wish Auburn would have a meltdown and finish .500, but don't know if that affects his decision. Do we have a legitimate chance? Or has that ship sailed? — GoBucks2204
Read Birm's latest recruiting mailbag for your answer.
With this being the last game in October, will we see anything "special" before entering the month of being contenders? Is Braxton Miller ever going to throw the ball? — TBDFITL and HayesTresselMeyer
Probably not. I'm sure they have some trick plays like the reverse pass Evan Spencer threw in the Sugar Bowl in the works, but I'd say the chances Meyer puts that on film against Rutgers are just about zero.
Technically, Miller's already thrown a pass. A touch pass to Jalin Marshall against Northern Illinois for three yards put him in the book in that category. However, even he said last week that isn't really a pass. There's a *chance* he throws one later in the season, but I frankly think Miller's throwing days are long gone.
Who will win this week's game? What makes you believe that will be the outcome? Do you have a guess as to what the final score might be? What are the chances Rutgers actually pulls off an upset? NavyBuckeye91 and JustSomeGuy
I'd put the chances at Rutgers pulling an upset at about 25 percent. Ohio State is clearly the better-coached, more talented and all-around more superior team in just about every category. Although, if Ohio State turns the ball over and allows Leonte Carroo to get loose down the field and score touchdowns, it could be close in the fourth quarter. Then, anything can happen.
I've got Ohio State taking this one, 49-24. Too much Ezekiel Elliott and J.T. Barrett in the running game for Rutgers to hang.
BONUS: Are you as surprised as I am that Kyle Flood is still the Rutgers coach? — Ethos
You bet I am. The dude blatantly committed a violation after being told what he did was wrong, yet he still has a job and Randy Edsall doesn't. Edsall wasn't very good at Maryland, but at least he didn't do anything that was against code. I doubt Flood has a job after this season.
BONUS: Jughandles: pro or con? — Earle
Con, con, con. My first ever trip to New Jersey came when I was in college and went home with a few friends from the area on 4th of July weekend. It was fun, but those darn things didn't, and still don't, make any sense to me.
For the uninitiated, a jughandle is essentially a right turn you make at an intersection in order to eventually turn left. It's odd, but prevalent in that part of the country. For more details, check out the Wikipedia entry.
Will you have time to head down to Princeton? I recommend it. Beautiful, historic campus and some decent off-campus establishments. — NavyBuckeye91
Sure would love to, considering I've never been and have heard the same things you described. I doubt we'll make it over that way, however. Road trips are mostly business related, especially one this far away. That's ultimately up to Tim, the driver.
Will you be indulging in a fat sandwich? — Jumar
I certainly hope so. On my trip east in college I found the beautiful establishment called Wawa. There are loads of good delis out that way — even Urban Meyer pointed that out during his Monday press conference — so I'd say the odds are good it happens. Any good recommendations?
Thanks again for all your questions. Next week the mailbag goes on vacation, as it is a bye week. Carry on.
