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Meyer Names JT Barrett Ohio State Starter

J.T. Barrett's spot in the Ohio State offense in 2015 has gone from backup quarterback to red-zone specialist to starter for the Buckeyes' game at Rutgers on Saturday night, coach Urban Meyer announced Tuesday.

 width=Meyer said -- a day after refusing to name one player over the other -- that Barrett has "earned the right" to start over Cardale Jones against the Scarlet Knights. This announcement comes just days after Jones was replaced by Barrett in a win against Penn State.

Against the Nittany Lions, Jones recorded minus-16 rushing yards and averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt on 15 passes. Barrett ran for 102 yards and did not miss on any of his four passing attempts, leading Meyer to say that Barrett "played great" in relief of Jones.

What Barrett is able to provide the Buckeyes is a rushing threat on the outside, which opens up the zone read game with star running back Ezekiel Elliott. That advantage that Barrett gives the offense first was installed in the red zone offense a few weeks ago, and now Meyer has decided to give the keys to the offense back to the 2014 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

While Jones' passing numbers on the season are better than Barrett's, the offense has been able to get in a better rhythm, at least in recent weeks, with last year's starter under center.

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