It's way to early to think about it, but J.T. Barrett forced the question Saturday.
That’s what happens when you total 386 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-37 win at Michigan State. Not that the speculation hasn’t already started.
You know, Barrett and Braxton Miller, who is rehabbing from season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, can’t both start at quarterback next season for the Buckeyes.
When it comes to Urban Meyer, you can’t help but wonder if he can actually devise a way to somehow make that possible. With the addition of five-star freshman Torrance Gibson, it’s not a stretch to say Ohio State could have three of the five-best quarterbacks in the Big Ten next season.
They definitely have two. How is that possible?
"Competition brings out the best, and I'm really excited to have two really good quarterbacks next year," Meyer said at his press conference Monday. “If that’s the plan.”
Meyer doesn't need the right answer yet, but that’s a slight backpedal from September when Meyer said Miller would be the starter . It's best if "the plan" includes both, but Meyer knows plans can change.
Barrett suddenly has the Buckeyes in the thick of the four-team College Football Playoff race, and he needs just two total TDs to tie Miller’s best mark in two-plus seasons as a starter.
Barrett has shown remarkable accelerated growth as a passer. Look at the quick-draw comparison from this year to last:
Miller (12 games): 3,162 total yards, 63.5 completion percentage, 36 TDs
Barrett (9 games): 2,738 total yards, 64.4 completion percentage, 34 TDs
That’s led to rumor-mongering. Will Miller, a graduated senior with a 28-8 record as a starter, opt for the NFL or transfer because he can play right away? Hey, Florida State and Florida need quarterbacks. Or would Miller start ahead of a guy who might be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy?
How is that possible?
Whatever the case, offensive coordinator Tom Herman is in lock-step with Meyer for now.
"I know it sounds coach-speak, but I honestly give that zero, zero thought," Herman said Monday. "Zero. And I hate to say that. I'm focused on this team and I'm also focused on Braxton and his rehab.”
This question won’t even begin to need answering until spring practice starts, and it’s a road other national championship contenders traveled.
Nebraska did it with Tommie Frazier and Brook Berringer in 1994-95. Shoot, Todd Boeckman led Ohio State to the BCS championship game in 2007 before being benched in favor of Terrelle Pryor after three games the following season.
The only difference then was everybody knew Pryor was better than Boeckman.
With Miller and Barrett, we’re not quite sure. Both are good enough to lead Ohio State to the national championship, and if Meyer’s tenure has proven anything it doesn’t hurt to have a backup plan.
This fan-base can turn on a quarterback in a hurry. Kenny Guiton filled in for Miller the previous two seasons, and some Buckeye fans wanted Guiton to be the starter.
Now it’s Barrett’s turn. The saying goes is if you have two quarterbacks, you don't have one. With dual-threat quarterbacks, however, it's always better to have two. Keeping Miller around should be the focus after the season, but does it really matter?
It’s not about the quarterback. The secret is in the system, and Meyer’s system is fool-proof. It’s no different than Chip Kelly in the pros.
How else would you explain Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez? Kelly and Meyer know quarterbacks, and no scenario sounds crazy.
Just don’t tell Meyer that.
"I don't use the term crazy. I think fortunate and blessed are two things, because a lot of people would want either one of them," Meyer said. "I think they're both excellent quarterbacks, and we'll worry about that day when it comes. But we're very fortunate to have those guys."
