5 Ohio State predictions with Oklahoma coming to the Horseshoe

4. J.T. Barrett becomes Heisman front runner

There is without a doubt J.T. Barrett will be a key throughout the entire season. However good J.T. can be will determine how far the Buckeyes go.

The new offense has made J.T. look a little more comfortable in just one game. He was attempting throws you wouldn’t see him throw last year. When Barrett was in the pocket, he looked like he belonged there. Along with being more comfortable he was not forcing passes.

Barrett didn’t look like the Heisman candidate some thought he was going to look like. But that wasn’t all his fault. Out of the 11 guys of defense, a majority of the game the Hoosiers only rushed 3. Dropping 8 into coverage. It didn’t really matter who was at quarterback with 8 defenders dropping into coverage.

It also doesn’t help the receivers weren’t making plays and getting open down the field. The vertical passing game was very poor. The underneath, across the middle routes worked very well though. With the speed guys like Parris Campbell have, if they can catch the ball underneath and have room to run, they will hit pay dirt.

This week against the Sooners, the running game will take care of itself, that isn’t what Buckeye fans need to worry about. The passing game is what is most concerning. Receivers are going to need to make plays, just like in 2016.

If Barrett can come out and throw for over 200+ yards, rush for over 75 and add at least 2 touchdowns, the Buckeyes are going to run away with this game.

If Barrett can’t find his receivers, or they can’t make plays down the field and can’t develop a vertical passing threat, the running game is doing to really need to step up.