Ohio State football: 5 reasons the Buckeyes will beat Army

5. J.T. Barrett will take advantage of this opportunity to build trust with his receivers.

Barrett’s woes in the passing game have been long stated. Since his stunning freshman season in 2014, his ability as a passer has been on the decline. Things haven’t changed a whole lot in the dawn of this season.

Trust will be a key word for Barrett and this offense as the season progresses.

Whether he is holding the ball too long or throwing passes to the other team, Barrett’s indecisiveness has led to a stagnant passing offense for the Buckeyes.

The inability to confidently go vertical with the football has limited the Bucks’ ability to compete with high powered offenses.

This was evident in the loss against Oklahoma. Barrett consistently opted to check down and did not look comfortable in the pocket.

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Often staring down receivers, he faltered to pull the trigger when the opening was there. Barrett did not complete a pass over 13 yards down the field until well into the third quarter. He was sacked three times.

Yes, Barrett did technically have a good game against the Hoosiers in week one but most of his production was created by the receivers after the catch. Barrett’s 304 yards and three touchdowns through the air hid all of the miscues between his receivers and himself.

This game provides a window of opportunity for Barrett and the receiving corps to get on track. In a game where the Bucks are a sizable favorite against an inferior opponent at home, Barrett should be able to take a breath and work the ball around to his receivers. The Buckeyes’ committee of young and inexperienced receivers will also benefit from this opportunity.

The Buckeyes’ sheer talent and athleticism that is stocked on their roster will more than likely be enough to overcome the Black Knights. Whether Barrett gets it done with his legs or his arm, his experience will lead the Bucks to victory. The win may not be earned through team chemistry but the Bucks will surely do enough to succeed into next week.

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Trust is something that has seemingly eluded Barrett and his receivers for quite some time. Consequently, the chemistry on offense has been lackluster. The Buckeyes’ offense will get a chance to work itself out come Saturday afternoon which will hopefully result in increased trust and confidence within the unit.