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Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett don't want two-QB system

J.T. Barrett has been part of a two-quarterback system before, and he doesn't care for it.

Cardale Jones doesn't like the idea, either.

However Ohio State coach Urban Meyer decides to handle the two quarterbacks, who are engaged in the nation's most closely watched position battle, playing both isn't going to make either of them happy.

"I don't think it would be as efficient," Barrett said, per ESPN. "I did that in high school and switched every series ... and that's kind of tough to do being that you can't get into a rhythm, get a real vibe off the defense. I don't think it would be the best idea."

Jones, a fourth-year junior who won three postseason games last year to finish off Ohio State's national title run, said much the same: "I don't think it's a great idea. I don't think you could get in a rhythm. In a two-quarterback system, if I run three plays and run off the field and J.T. runs out for a drive, I don't know how well that would work with rhythm and timing with guys. Only one of us can play."

That doesn't make Meyer's decision any easier, but it should at least tell him that the Tim Tebow-Chris Leak timeshare that he once managed at Florida isn't the right model for Ohio State in 2015. A defending national championship team -- particularly one that went through three quarterbacks last year -- deserves to rally behind one and only one quarterback, at least to begin the season.

From a draft perspective, NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein suggests that Jones would be better off in backup duty than in a platoon with Barrett.



Virginia Tech, the only team to beat OSU last season, awaits for Ohio State's season opener on Sept. 7.

The way Meyer tells it, the Hokies won't have an idea of which quarterback they'll face until the Buckeyes' first offensive series, which is a smart move on Meyer's part.

Picking only one winner between Jones and Barrett would be another one.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *@ChaseGoodbread*.