Scouting the Enemy: Ohio State QBs are Good
I was curious to see how the replacement QBs for JT Barrett would fair in their spring game and well, lets just say I think OSU's offense got a bit more dynamic in the QB department.
This also made their WRs look a lot better relatively.
Dwayne Haskins (raises fist in air in anger) went 9/19 120 yards with 2 great throws to Jaylen Harris (25 yards) and Ben Victor (43 yards)
Joe Burrow is giving Haskins a run for his money going 15/22 238 yards with another pair of great throws both to Demario McCall for 50 and 42 yards
Lastly, redshirt freshman Tate Martell seems to be the most JT-like in that he's a great runner but mediocre passer rushing 9 times for 59 yards while completing 5/16 for 28 yards.
Spring game caveats apply, but this year's OSU team is NOT going to be like the past 2 years with either Haskins or Burrow starting.
I hope our safeties are ready come November.
April 16th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
OSU fan here.
Many OSU fans want Burrow to be the starter. He is much more athletic and appears to be a little more accurate than Haskins. Haskins has the big arm and can make throws that Burrow cannot. Burrow had a much better spring game, but that is meaningless; reports out of practice are that they are very even. Martell is crazy quick (makes lots of guys miss in two-hand touch) but has not shown an ability to throw the ball well.
Indications are that if Burrow does not win the job, he will transfer (he gratuates in May), which will leave OSU's QB depth very thin.
As to JT, for all his limitations as a passer, he has more total TDs than Brees and Brady combined, and has a higher career completion percentage and Y/A than either. JT will be lucky to be drafted, but was a hell of a college QB. I expect OSU QB play to take a step back this year, with the passing game being a bit better but the QB run game being much worse.
April 16th, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
April 16th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
I admittedly know next to nothing about Burrow, but after watching Haskins carve up Michigan's secondary last year in his limited playing time, I have to imagine he's going to be the guy next Fall. If nothing else, he's clutch. Most true freshmen QBs would've fallen apart in that situation. I imagine he's at least athletic enough to keep defenses honest, and if he's a big upgrade over JT in the passing department, then it really all works out for the better.
You've got more than enough five star athletes to hand the ball off to for keeping pressure off of Haskins to make plays with his feet. Whoever your QB is next season doesn't have to be as fast or athletic as Braxton was, or even be what JT was. But if he can't throw the ball, the offense can only do so much. I imagine Haskins also gets the job because if Burrow is only marginally better in accuracy, but severely lagging in arm power, Meyer will take his chances with Haskins. I imagine your WRs are fast enough to blow by most corners in the league, so get them behind the secondary and let Haskins just air it out.
This all being said, I hope whoever your next QB is throws like Bauserman.
Thanks for the response. Couple of minor points: (1) Haskins was a redshirt freshmen last year; (2) Burrow's arm strength is above average, Haskins just has a cannon. I think you are right that Haskins will win the job.
April 16th, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^
Hmmm, I've been playing this "The Next OSU QB Will Suck" game for quite a few years now. Let's see:
Craig Krenzel
Troy Smith
Terrel Pryor
Braxton Miller
JT Barret
All of the above QBs have had a winning record against us (Michigan). I think they are due a few QB duds but unfortunately that hasn't happened. So frustrating... BUT: there is only so much you can glean from a practice event, or which QB will be standing upright come November.
April 16th, 2018 at 11:51 AM ^
Martell crossed
April 16th, 2018 at 12:09 PM ^
We will have depth at QB. Let's see what that line can do this year!
that if our starter, in their case Haskins, had thrown less than 50% against friendly fire with little resistance, our fans would have been saying how shitty he looked instead of singing his praises for being able to toss a couple of scores against the same OSU Defense Light.
I thought he proved, under fire last year vs. their biggest rivals that he was a keeper.