Football and College

Early today Buckeye Nation found out about JT's and his troubles. I have read hundreds of social media postings about how Urban is too soft, that JT won't be punished like he should, Ohio State is full of criminals, and many other nonsense comments. I think we, Buckeye Nation, get caught up in a very simple idea of what college is to the majority of attendees. JT is a college student, a football player, a human being, a son, and a teammate. He is not a rapist, murderer, or any other criminal title that is given out. High school students are told throughout high school that a college degree is what makes or breaks careers, regardless of whether you are an athlete or not. A college degree will always come in handy. There are many aspects of college football that I do not agree with, none more prominent then the amount of pressure put on young adults. Sometimes that pressure is overwhelming and down right crushing.

JT Barrett is more than just a quarterback for The Ohio State Buckeyes, he is the face of the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are the #1 team in the Nation, the defending champions of the first ever College Football Playoffs, the most targeted team in the nation, and most criticized players and coaches of all time. I am not side stepping the fact that JT is underage, but what I am saying is that the amount of pressure and responsibility one takes on can be more than a college student can handle.  I do not blame JT for drinking underage, I blame college football for turning college football into a beauty pageant. College life is filled with girls/guys, classes, and no supervision. If you are an athlete,  you have to worry about all of the above, plus what is expected of you as an athlete. To expect athletes to not screw up or at least not get caught doing it, is to expect to win the lottery. The only difference between Ohio State and 95% of college football is the name and accomplishments. Lets not be hard on JT, his consequences are only beginning. First, he is suspended for one game, which is punishment enough especially since the Buckeyes have done nothing but struggle under CJ this year.

In my opinion, the job is not up for grabs, Cardale is simply filling in as a back up that just happened to win three straight championship games. I will be shocked if JT doesn't start the last three games of the regular season. We all need to relax and root on CJ as he takes on Minnesota.