Ohio State mounts huge comeback to upset Penn State: 3 Takeaways

J.T. Barrett and No. 6 Ohio State mounted a huge comeback in the fourth quarter against No. 2 Penn State and upset the Nittany Lions at home.

An epic game for the ages at the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio. For three and a half quarters, Saquon Barkley and Penn State were running all over Ohio State. The Buckeyes were making numerous mistakes — not covering kickoffs, dropping passes, committing silly penalties — and it seemed like it was all headed towards a Penn State victory.

But, down 35-20, J.T. Barrett, the veteran signal caller for the Buckeyes, decided that enough was enough and put Ohio State on his shoulders. They went on a 19-3 run and took down Penn State at home for a huge win. Here are three quick takeaways from the game.

3 Takeaways

1. QB J.T. Barrett’s performance puts him in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

All the Heisman love has been showered on Saquon Barkley and Bryce Love, but there’s another name that should be entered into the mix —  J.T. Barrett. Coming into Saturday, the Ohio State quarterback had a 67 percent completion percentage and 21 touchdowns to one interception.

His performance against Penn State was even better, completing 33-of-39 passes for 328 yards, including four touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s been sensational for the Buckeyes this season, leading them to a 7-1 record and hence he’s entered the Heisman conversation and should be in New York for the trophy presentation.

2. Why didn’t Penn State just keep pounding the rock with Saquon Barkley?

Typically, when teams take large leads, it’s not a game against the opponent anymore, it’s a game against the clock. In the same manner, Penn State should’ve kept handing to their Heisman hopeful, No. 26, every time they were up by two scores.

Instead, they continued to keep the ball in the hands of Trace McSorley, which allowed Ohio State to get back in the game. Barkley started out hot, with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a long touchdown run, but didn’t see very many carries after that point.

3. Ohio State controls its own destiny for the College Football Playoff

This was the game for the Buckeyes to be able to get back in the conversation for a College Football Playoff spot, and they were successfully able to with a victory over Penn State. They’re now 7-1 on the season, with their only loss coming to Oklahoma at home.

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They should control their own destiny the rest of the season, meaning if they win out, they should find themselves in the College Football Playoff again. TCU and Penn State losing today opens up two spots that will be filled by Wisconsin and Ohio State, probably.