COLUMBUS, Ohio -- J.T. Barrett still found a way to make an impact for Ohio State while sitting out a suspension and watching the Buckeyes' 28-14 win over Minnesota from the press box, joining his teammates in the locker room at halftime and delivering a pep talk.
The starting quarterback for the Buckeyes (No. 3 CFP, No. 1 AP) is typically known for fiery pregame speeches that he's delivered even while injured in the past. But with that not an option for Barrett on Saturday night before Ohio State hosted Minnesota, the redshirt sophomore instead settled for delivering some inspirational words midway through the victory that kept the team undefeated and on track to defend its national championship.
"I was thinking that it was kind of weird [not to hear him before the game], but he gave one before the second half, though," running back Ezekiel Elliott said.
"Cardale [Jones] did a good job picking up where J.T. left off, getting us motivated before we stepped out on the field.
"[Barrett was] just kind of like, 'They're playing the way that we practiced against, and we've just got to go out there and execute and make plays.' And anytime one of my guys gets up there and speaks from the heart, it gets me going."
The Buckeyes appeared to miss Barrett's dual-threat ability at quarterback more than his ability to deliver impassioned speeches, and the offense was certainly not as potent as it had been since he reclaimed the starting job from Jones last month.
The Ohio State captain is eligible to return next week at Illinois after serving a suspension coach Urban Meyer issued for misdemeanor charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence and backing without safety, and Barrett could be inserted right back into the lineup.
The Ohio State coaching staff didn't tip its hand on a decision about who will start against the Illini, and offensive coordinator Ed Warinner also avoided providing much insight on the halftime situation on Saturday night.
"[Barrett] was there [helping] every day. He tried to be a positive influence, tried to help young Joey Burrow and Cardale with thought processes and working the game and things like that," Warinner said. "He just tried to provide his knowledge and leadership and observations from a player perspective.
"What we do in the locker room, I'm keeping there. If somebody else wants to talk about what goes in there, I'm not."