Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN the No. 1 team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes, will open their 2015 campaign against the Virginia Tech Hokies as two-touchdown favorites looking to avenge last season's loss in the home opener. Buckeyes fans can listen to the radio broadcast on Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan, while Hokies fans may do likewise on 105.3 The Bear.
The dominant storyline ahead of this tilt is one that is strange for a team ranked No. 1 overall-who will start at quarterback?
The Buckeyes have a spirited battle going on for the starting job between J.T. Barrett, a Heisman candidate a year ago who suffered a season-ending injury just before the playoffs began, and Cardale Jones, a sensation who finished the job and led Ohio State to a championship.
Jones nearly went pro after starting just three games last year, and he threw five touchdown passes against two picks against Wisconsin, Alabama, and then Oregon in the National Championship.
Barrett was no slouch either. He assumed the job for Braxton Miller, a preseason Heisman favorite who missed the entire season, and has switched positions to allow Jones and Barrett to compete for the job. Barrett racked up 34 touchdowns against 10 picks, with 11 rushing scores tacked on.
Both quarterbacks are expected to play some, and both guys remember Virginia Tech's stunner last season that nearly derailed their playoff campaign before it began.
"There is a little nudge around here because they beat us, and really the way they beat us," Meyer said. "Offensively right now there is a lot of distaste for the way that thing happened, and that's not taking away from their personnel, because I think they have excellent personnel, especially on defense."
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