Ohio State's J.T. Barrett suffered an injury thanks to a cameraman just prior to taking the field for The Game in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday, leaving the Buckeyes with a unique situation.
The Buckeyes have not committed to who will play quarterback against the Badgers, although it's largely assumed Barrett will play if he is healthy enough to perform.
Just in case he isn't able to play against Wisconsin, Dwayne Haskins is getting extra reps in practice this week. Haskins came on in relief of Barrett in the second half of a 31-20 win over Michigan, leading three scoring drives in four tries.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Tuesday evening that Ohio State didn't have to shrink its playbook for Haskins, who was playing his first meaningful reps of his career.
"We didn't cut back what we were doing the other day when he was in there. We did what we did," Wilson said.
As the week leading up to the Big Ten title game goes on, Haskins will get more reps than usual. While the playbook doesn't change, per the coaching staff, the preparation for Haskins could be tweaked to get him more involved in the game planning.
"He will get a little more reps as we go through (the week), but I don't think we change a great deal. We might attack a defensive front or coverage differently (in practice), so there are some subtle changes," Wilson said. "But we are kind of in a routine and rhythm with what we are doing. He has had a lot on his plate."
When you watch Haskins play, it is evident he has a slightly different game than Barrett. The redshirt freshman is taller and has a more live arm, but is not quite the runner that Barrett is, especially in the zone read run game.
While the coaches maintain the playbook doesn't change much, the stats suggest otherwise.
Seventeen of the 27 running back carries against Michigan came with Haskins in the game, as Haskins carried the ball just three times. Barrett carried 15 times for Ohio State before his injury. Granted, most of those running back carries came as Ohio State was trying to run out the clock, but it is clear that Haskins is not the runner Barrett is.
Should Haskins be forced into action against Wisconsin and Ohio State rely more on its running backs, the challenge would be a welcomed one for the Buckeye backs, Mike Weber said Tuesday.
"That is the type of pressure that we want in my opinion," Weber said. "We all want the ball in our hands. If that is what it takes for us to win the game, then I am all for it."
No matter who plays quarterback for the Buckeyes against Wisconsin, wide receiver K.J. Hill, who was the beneficiary of a pair of Haskins passes against Michigan, said Ohio State will be confident.
"Just in case someone goes down again, you know with Dwayne, there won't be a drop-off in the offense," he said.
