For those eager to find out who will start at quarterback for Ohio State this season, keep waiting. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer says he doesn't intend to reveal his choice between Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett until the Sept. 7 season opener at Virginia Tech.
"The first guy that jogs out at Blacksburg will be the starting quarterback," Meyer said Thursday at Big Ten Media Days, per Sports Illustrated's Brian Hamilton.
Of course, the choice could be known within the program weeks in advance. But with one of the Buckeyes' toughest games scheduled for a season opener at Virginia Tech, OSU is better off letting Hokies coach Frank Beamer and his staff prepare the defense for both possibilities. And it's not as though there isn't much difference -- Jones is a huge presence in the pocket at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, and can move the chains as a rusher with straight-ahead power. Barrett is the smaller and more elusive in the open field of the two.
But while Meyer might be making the right strategic choice, he'll also be extending rampant speculation that will carry throughout the preseason.
Meyer also said at Big Ten Media Days that he can envision both Barrett and Jones seeing action this season, so even the choice for a starter won't necessarily signal a season on the bench for the other.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
