J.T. Barrett had a fourth quarter for the history books as he led Ohio State to a comeback win over Penn State and took the Heisman spotlight from Saquon Barley in the process.
After Ohio State lost to Oklahoma in the second week of the season, there was some chatter about why J.T. Barrett should be benched. It was nonsense at the time and looks even sillier today. Fast forward to Week 9 and Barrett broke Drew Brees’ Big Ten record for career touchdown passes after overcoming an 18-point deficit in a 39-38 win over Penn State.
The Buckeyes control their destiny for the Big Ten championship and Barrett played his way to the top of the Heisman Trophy conversation in the process.
Barrett completed the final 16 passes of the game as the Buckeyes outscored the Nittany Lions 19-3 in the decisive fourth quarter. Barrett connected with Marcus Baugh for the 16-yard game-winning score with 1:48 left in the game to cement his status as the leader in the Heisman. He finished 33-of-39 wth 328 yards and four touchdowns. Barrett also added 95 yards on 17 carries.
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley entered the game as the Heisman favorite and after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, it looked like he would leave the game as the favorite too. Barkley also had a 33-yard touchdown run to give Penn State a 21-3 lead with 11:40 left in the second quarter when it looked like Ohio State was headed for their second loss of the season, their Playoff dreams dashed and their path to a Big Ten title looking bleak.
But then things changed in favor of Barrett and the Buckeyes.
Barkley made the two huge splash plays but outside of his 33-yard TD run, he was limited to eight yards on 20 carries. He was a complete non-factor for the last 41 minutes of the game. That’s a credit to the Ohio State, especially the defensive line led by Sam Hubbard and Nick Bosa. That game alone won’t end Barkley’s Heisman campaign, but coupled with Barrett taking over the game when Barkley disappeared is a damaging blow to his resume.
Next: 3 takeaways from Ohio State beating Penn State
Barkley didn’t lose the Heisman on this night but Barrett took the spotlight from him. Now the Heisman is Barrett’s to lose. With games remaining against Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois and Michigan, Barrett could be the next Buckeye to win the Heisman.
We have to be careful about crowning Heisman winners because Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley have all been the anointed one. In the case of Barrett, he’s the leader entering the stretch run and has the Michigan game in his back pocket in case he needs to break out another Heisman moment to come from The Game.
If you’re going to bet, put your money on Barrett for Heisman in 2017.