Ohio State will play for a Big Ten title next week, but it will be doing so without quarterback J.T. Barrett.
The school announced on Saturday afternoon that Barrett will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his ankle during the fourth quarter of Ohio State's 42-28 win over Michigan. He's scheduled to undergo surgery this week.
Barrett was carted off the field to the locker room with his right leg in an air cast after having his leg rolled up on by a Michigan defender while being tackled from behind. Cardale Jones replaced Barrett at quarterback for the Buckeyes and will likely start in his place next week in Indianapolis.
Barrett was having a fantastic season in place of Braxton Miller, whom Ohio State lost to a season-ending injury before the season even began. Barrett threw for 2,834 yards while rushing for another 938 yards and scoring 45 total touchdowns for the Buckeyes. He was well on pace to being a finalist for this year's Heisman Trophy.
Instead, Ohio State now faces uncertainty at the most important position on the field, and even if the Buckeyes win the Big Ten next week, it remains to be seen how the College Football Playoff Selection Committee will view this team following Barrett's injury.
