Something Called Prediction Machine Ran 50,000 Simulations, and J.T. Barrett Paced the Race

With unofficial Chipotle spokesman Cardale Jones and a rehabbing Braxton Miller cooling their heels in Los Angeles at last night's EPSYs, it's probable J.T. Barrett spent his Wednesday night watching Virginia Tech film.

Is that a weird projection on my part? Possibly, but that's the image Barrett has projected all summer.

Some folks thought Barrett — and by extension, not Braxton Miller — should have been on that plane to Los Angeles. (They had a case, too.)

There haven't been any statements of commitment or bombast tweets from the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The last time J.T. made a headline, it was for lighting it up as a counselor at the Elite 11.

To compliment J.T.'s grind isn't a slight to Dolodale's or Miller's. They're at home in the spotlight, and if J.T. Barrett yearns for it, he never showed it:

That's J.T. Barrett, distilled into a Tweet, and that's part of what makes him an almost undervalued #QBgeddon candidate at this point. It's all by his design.

Today, however, his bloodriders got another arrow in their quiver. Barrett's game has always been based on efficiency. He doesn't have the headlines or the physical attributes of either of his competitors, but his proponents argue the chains move the quickest with him at the helm.

They may not be wrong.

PredictionMachine.com ran 50,000 simulations, and J.T. Barrett paced the QB derby. Though, to be fair, the results showed Ohio State is likely to bludgeon you with any of the trio:

Regardless of which quarterback starts, the Buckeyes win more than 11 games on average. Ohio State finishes with the best record in the Big Ten and the FBS in each simulation. Ohio State is No. 1 in our Power Rankings whether Miller, Barrett or Jones is the first team quarterback.

By the numbers, if we had to make Urban Meyer's decision for him, Barrett would be the starter. Ohio State is a more efficient offensively, both passing and rushing the ball, with Barrett under center. The difference between Barrett and Miller starting for Ohio State is nearly a field goal per game. 

Urban Meyer has stated his goal every game is 250 yards passing and 250 rushing. Barrett may not be the most explosive, but he may be the perfect straw to stir the drink. 

A critic might argue these are just computer numbers. To an extent, they'd be right. But we all saw J.T. Barrett bloom last year; only a fool would discount Barrett at this point.

For reference, here are the numbers in full: