J.T. Barrett vs. Cardale Jones: Updates on Ohio State's QB Battle

J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones continue to battle for one of the most coveted positions in college football: starting quarterback for the reigning champion Ohio State Buckeyes. No clear leader has emerged with just a few weeks until the Sept. 7 opener against Virginia Tech.Continue for updates.Neither QB Wants to Split Time in Regular SeasonWednesday, Aug. 19Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch reports the coaching staff isn't providing any hints about who will be under center for the first snap against the Hokies. Both of the quarterbacks involved in the race do agree on one thing, though: They aren't enthralled with the idea of sharing snaps.Barrett said he went through a similar situation in high school and often struggled to find any type of rhythm when it was his turn to play. Jones felt the same way, citing the problems he's had when splitting snaps with the first-team offense during camp practices, according to the report."I don't think it'd be best for the quarterback position because we wouldn't have the same rhythm or efficiency," Barrett said.The situation could have been even more complicated if Braxton Miller didn't opt for a position change to wide receiver. It's still a difficult decision to make, though.Here's how the remaining options performed during the title-winning 2014 campaign:Quarterbacks coach Tim Beck stated that neither one has pulled away from the other quite yet, per Nicole Auerbach of USA Today."It's just two heavyweights going at it right now," Beck said. "Just when you think one guy is going to make a move, the other guy comes back."The thing that's impressed head coach Urban Meyer most is how the quarterbacks, who are locked in such an intense, important battle, continue to treat each other, per Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports."People say those things and sometimes it's not genuine," Meyer said. "This one is very genuine.They encourage each other, they push each other. It's unique.It's one of the most refreshing competitions I've ever witnessed."Having two reliable quarterbacks is obviously a much better situation than being caught without anybody you can count on. That said, it does have the potential to create headaches because the urge to make a quick hook if one is struggling is always there.Barrett seems like the better option because he brings more of the dual-threat element to the equation and finished with a slightly higher passer rating last season. But you can't overlook the fact that Jones completed the championship journey with two strong playoff performances.Regardless of who wins the job, he better be ready to hit the ground running, as the Buckeyes certainly don't open with a cupcake opponent. Facing Virginia Tech on the road is one of the team's toughest contests of the season.
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