Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones don’t know who will start at quarterback when the Buckeyes open their season at Virginia Tech, but they do know they do not want to split snaps.
One should be the starter. The other should be the backup.
"I don't think it would be as efficient," Barrett said of a rotation, per ESPN. "I did that in high school and switched every series ... and that's kind of tough to do being that you can't get into a rhythm, get a real vibe off the defense. I don't think it would be the best idea."
Barrett and Jones are close friends and have maintained throughout the preseason that there will be no hard feelings when head coach Urban Meyer eventually makes a decision.
Barrett edged out Jones last season to start after Braxton Miller went down with a shoulder injury. Barrett filled in admirably and put up 2,834 yards and 34 touchdowns before he injured his ankle in the season finale against Michigan.
At that point, Jones was summoned and led the Buckeyes to three straight postseason wins, including a national title.
Miller is not entirely healed and has since moved to receiver, reducing the expected 2015 quarterback competition to just Barrett and Jones. Though he admitted that Meyer could probably effectively split up snaps between the two, Jones agrees with Barrett. It wouldn’t be for the best.
“I don’t think it’s a great idea,” Jones said. “I don’t think you could get in a rhythm. In a two-quarterback system, if I run three plays and run off the field and J.T. runs out for a drive, I don’t know how well that would work with rhythm and timing with guys. Only one of us can play.”
Meyer said Barrett and Jones are “both working their tails off” and called the competition “refreshing” and “genuine.”
“They really encourage each other. They push each other,” Meyer said.
Meyer still has two-and-a-half weeks to decide before the Sept. 7 Virginia Tech opener, but we likely won’t know for sure until the Buckeyes offense trots out for its first series that night.
For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
