Urban Meyer: J.T. Barrett to start Saturday barring bad week of practice

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett will start Saturday against Illinois, assuming he has a good week of practice

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett will start Saturday against Illinois, assuming he has a good week of practice, coach Urban Meyer said Monday.

Barrett sat out last week’s 28–14 win over Minnesota after he was handed a one-game suspension for an OVI citation. Cardale Jones started in his place, completing 12 of 22 passes for 187 yards and touchdown. He added 92 yards and a score on the ground.

Barrett made his first start of the season on Oct. 24 in a 48–7 win over Rutgers. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns, plus 101 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

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During the team’s bye the following week, Barrett was cited on a misdemeanor charge of operating a motor vehicle while impaired, registering a blood-alcohol concentration just above 0.08, Ohio’s legal limit for drivers age 21 or older. Because Barrett is 20, the legal limit for him is 0.02.

"If J.T. (Barrett) has a good week of practice, he'll get the start against Illinois." - @OSUCoachMeyer https://t.co/7nqVaNVFJO

— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) November 9, 2015

He lost his summer scholarship in addition to the suspension.

- Kenny Ducey