The top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes open the season with a trip to Virginia Tech on Monday night, Sept. 7.
“Talent wise, they’re by far the number one team in the country,” Virgina Tech Head Coach Frank Beamer said.
“They’re coming to Blacksburg,” Beamer continued. “You don’t have that opportunity that often. I know for fans, they’ve looked forward to it We have, to. I mean, it’s the best team in the country coming to your house. You want to make the best of that.”
The biggest question that remains unanswered is who is going to be Ohio State’s quarterback. After Braxton Miller went down before the 2014 season began, J.T. Barrett led the team with 2,834 yards passing with 34 touchdowns until an injury ended his season. With three wins in the post-season to his credit, Cardale Jones led Ohio State to the national title.
According to Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer, the preparation for the season is basically the same no matter who plays.
“If it was different skill sets probably, but they’re not,” Meyer said in his weekly press conference. “If you look at J.T.’s game plan when he was our quarterback and Cardale, it’s very similar.”
“There is a chance they’ll both play as well,” Meyer continued. “In our mindset, we’re game planning our offense and they’re both executing very well.”
As far as Miller is concerned he will be on the field as well.
“Early on, I don’t want to say exceeded because I knew there would be growing pains,” Meyer said. “It’s rather comical when I heard just play him at receiver or go put him at corner. It usually takes a year-and-a-half to play receiver to do it correctly.”
The Buckeyes will look to avenge their only loss from a year ago when the Hokies won 35-21 during the season opener in Columbus.
Editor’s note: Quotes, photos and logos courtesy of CollegePressBox.com.