Both Tim Beck and Urban Meyer said there is not one person or position that should shoulder the blame the way Ohio State's passing game struggled in its 38-17 victory against Indiana last Saturday.
“Everybody took their turn of course in the game. It's just one of those things you have to keep working on. It's about timing, it's about spacing,” Beck said on Wednesday after practice. “Last week just wasn't acceptable. We weren't clicking all the way. We've got to be better, no question.”
But that won't keep quarterback J.T. Barrett from taking the lead—as he often does—when things are not running as smoothly as they were in the first four games of the season. The quarterback threw 14 touchdown passes against only two interceptions with passer ratings north of 120 in victories against Bowling Green, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Rutgers. Against the Hoosiers, though, Barrett completed just 9-of-21 throws for 93 yards, one score and an interception.
“Those games, they bother you. They irk you. Just because you feel like, you could say 'hey you won by 21' and this that and the other. I know that's true. But the goal is really to play the best that you can play.”– Tim Beck
“He wants to win. If he's 9-of-21 or he throws seven touchdowns, it really doesn't matter. As long as we get that 'W' and move on to the next game for him,” Beck said. “I think he's also smart enough to realize we need that element to be able to keep moving on. He's done a great job this week with our younger players to be able to stress the importance of it.”
Barrett illustrated that point on Monday, saying he didn't care that he ran the ball 26 times, which was two more carries than running back Mike Weber and H-back Curtis Samuel had combined.
“I do what it takes to win,” Barrett said. “If that means I run the ball 26 times in order for us to win by 21 points, by golly you best believe I'm going to do that.”
A victory is all that matters but uneasiness about the imbalance on offense is apparent within the program. Especially considering Ohio State visits No. 8 Wisconsin on Saturday. The Badgers sport the nation's 11th-ranked defense. Beck said he sees the kind of mental mindset he wants from Barrett, the wide receivers, running backs and offensive line this week in practice while they work on the passing game.
“Sometimes when you have young players it's hard to maintain that focus, maintain that sense of urgency that you have to do. Sometimes it takes a slap in the face a little bit for you to wake up and say 'OK, we gotta go out and continue it,'” Beck said. “And coaches as well. We had been doing very successful up until that point and it brought us back down to earth, for sure.”
The head coach sees the same thing.
“A quarterback working really hard it and receivers—just practice,” Meyer said. “Typical, when something's not working at the level you want it to work at, when you have good players and guys working.”
Barrett didn't throw his receivers under the bus on Monday but did note that "we didn't do a good job getting open." He missed some throws down the field as well, which has been well documented. The play calling also wasn't perfect. Something wasn't right when the Buckeyes tried to throw the ball and it wasn't all his fault.
Beck said he didn't see anything in terms of technique from Barrett that needs fixed before the trip to Madison, only that a few times the quarterback did not keep the right depth sometimes in the pocket. Barrett felt that too, which is why Beck said it's clear he upped his intensity this week. With the way he carries himself, that much is to be expected.
“He's an elite player and demands perfection as I do. Not just of him but of myself,” Beck said. “Those games, they bother you. They irk you. Just because you feel like, you could say 'hey you won by 21' and this that and the other. I know that's true.
“But the goal is really to play the best that you can play. If we feel like we can do that, we'll be on the upside more than the downside. That's our goal, every week just play your best and do your best. Coach your best. Do all those types of things. That's what we're shooting for this week.”
