COLUMBUS – Buckeye quarterback J.T. Barrett is expected to play in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship Game despite having surgery on his knee Sunday.
Big Ten Championship Game presented by Discover
No.8 (CFP) Ohio St. (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (12-0, 9-0)
Sat., Dec. 2, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis (8:00 p.m./FOX)
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Barrett had arthroscopic surgery Sunday to clean up a torn meniscus in the right knee he injured in the win over Michigan in Ohio State’s regular season finale but head coach Urban Meyer says he’s been cleared to play.
Barrett this week was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year for the third time. The senior is third nationally in points responsible for with 254 this season, fifth in touchdown passes (33), seventh in passing efficiency (166.95) and 10th in completion percentage at 66.2.
Senior center Billy Price and sophomore Nick Bosa, meanwhile, were named Offensive and Defensive Linemen of the Year in the conference’s post-season honors.
Altogether, the Buckeyes and Wisconsin boast nine players on the All-Big Ten first teams, including four players apiece on the offense.
Price and Barrett are joined by is left tackle Jamarco Jones and left guard Michael Jordan for OSU while Wisconsin has running back Jonathan Taylor, tight end Troy Fumagalli, tackle Michael Deiter and guard Beau Benzschawel on the team.
Five players in Saturday’s game are on the first-team all-conference defense: Bosa and Tyquan Lewis for Ohio State and linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive backs D’Cota Dixon and Nick Nelson for the Badgers.
Taylor could break the major college rushing record for a freshman during the game.
Taylor needs 120 yards to pass the mark of 1,925 set by Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson in 2004. A productive game in a win against Ohio State could also strengthen his postseason award resume but Taylor and the Badgers say their sole focus is on beating the Buckeyes.