Ohio State named 'Team of the Week' after big win over Michigan State
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's 49-37 victory on the road over No. 8 Michigan State has earned the 8-1 and 5-0 Buckeyes, a winner of seven consecutive games and with a nation's-best 12-game road winning streak, the "Big Game National Team of the Week" honor. The announcement was made today on SiriusXM Radio's "College Sports Today," hosted by Mark Packer and Eddie George.
What has been said/written after the win:
"This was a show of force for the Buckeyes in every imaginable way. There was an offensive line that was determined to beat down the Spartans' vaunted defense -- 268 yards rushing later, that was accomplished. There was a young quarterback in J.T. Barrett, who not only would show the confidence to air it out deep, but the bull-strength to lower a shoulder, blast over defenders and set the tone." -- Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports
"A college football playoff without this version of the Buckeyes would be no more than an exhibition, played for a trophy. Because one could easily argue there isn't a stronger team in the country than Ohio State right now, as the season reaches its most critical weeks." -- Graham Couch, Lansing State Journal
"With one overwhelming offensive display, the Buckeyes re-established themselves as the Big Ten's dominant team under coach Urban Meyer, avenged their loss to Michigan State in last year's conference title game, and boosted their case for a berth in the sport's new four-team playoff." -- Michael Rosenberg, Sports Illustrated
"Ohio State displayed offensive variety and precision, fueled by the poised passing performance of the freshman quarterback J. T. Barrett, on the way to a dominating 49-37 victory." -- Joanne C. Gerstner, New York Times
"You say forget Ohio State, the loss to a Virginia Tech team getting worse by the week trumps all. I say embrace the reality of the hottest team in the game. You say Ohio State hasn't played anyone. I say who in the world wants to play the Buckeyes; who wants to try to find a way to stop Barrett and knock heads with a coach who does big games as good or better than anyone in the game?" -- Matt Hayes, The Sporting News
"Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett was nothing short of sensational, completing 16 of 26 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 86 yards and two scores, too." -- Nicole Auerbach, USA Today
"He played big in a big game. He didn't throw off the mark at all. He put it right there where their guys were able to make the catches. We were there at times; we just didn't make the plays. That goes to having the guy who throws it where it needs to be thrown. You've got to give him credit. He's a heck of a quarterback." -- Pat Narduzzi, MSU Defensive Coordinator, on J.T. Barrett
"He put on a dazzling show." -- Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune, on J.T. Barrett
**Ohio State press release
