Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: OHIO STATE game and led OSU to a 28‑14 win. Barrett returned to the starting lineup the following week against Illinois and will be the starter when the Buckeyes face the Irish Jan. 1. "There was so much turmoil and angst at that position," Noon said. "Jones led them on that stretch last sea‑ son, but it was Barrett who got them to that point. "The decision to start Cardale at the beginning of the season will be second‑ guessed for eternity in Buckeye Nation. I think they learned their lesson that they need to make a decision to go with one, and that will be Barrett. I don't see a scenario where they try to trot out two quarterbacks." At the opposite end of the spectrum is Ohio State's "Mr. Consistency" — ju‑ nior running back Ezekiel Elliott. He amassed at least 100 yards rushing in 11 of 12 games this season, including cross‑ ing the 150‑yard plateau on four differ‑ ent occasions. Elliott carried Ohio State in its 34‑27 win over Indiana Oct. 3, fin‑ ishing with 274 yards and three touch‑ downs on 23 attempts. "He's been so key for Ohio State this year," Noon said. "The Michigan State game he finishes with only 12 carries for 33 yards, and that's the only game they lose. "He's a big focal point of the offense. As they talk about it here, they need to 'feed Zeke.' I'm sure the Notre Dame coaches will be expecting a heavy dose of him, because that's what the Ohio State game plan will call for." Defensively, the Buckeyes are led up front by junior defensive end Joey Bosa, a 6‑6, 275‑pound lineman projected by CBS Sports on Dec. 6 as the possible top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Bosa fin‑ ished with 47 tackles this year, includ‑ ing 16 for a loss.