Just two short weeks ago, Cardale Jones was a second-string quarterback who was known more for his social-media blunders than his play on the football field.
But when J.T. Barrett's season-ending ankle injury thrust him into the spotlight, the backup proved that he had more to offer with an all-time performance in the Big Ten title game.
Jones was brilliant in Ohio State's 59-0 thrashing of Wisconsin last Saturday, completing 12 of 17 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns (with no interceptions). Despite making his first career start, he helped the Buckeyes pile up 558 total yards against the Badgers' second-ranked defense—earning title-game MVP honors along the way.
He also showcased a skill set that could give Alabama problems when the two teams meet on New Year's Day.
The Tide are strong defensively (they rank 11th in total defense), but they've been mediocre against the pass, allowing opposing teams to throw for an average of 223.7 yards per game. That ranks 58th nationally—behind eight teams Ohio State has already faced this season.
Those are surprising numbers. With Nick Saban at the helm, Alabama's pass defense has been consistently great, but it's cracking this season. The Tide have struggled in their last three SEC matchups, surrendering an average of 339.3 passing yards to Mississippi State, Auburn and Missouri.
It was Nick Marshall and the Tigers, though, that did the most damage. In the highly anticipated Iron Bowl, Auburn torched Alabama for a school-record 456 passing yards. Receiver Sammie Coates consistently got behind the the Tide secondary, hauling in five catches for an incredible 205 yards and two touchdowns—averaging 41.2 yards per reception.
The Tide went on to win that game 55-44, but Saban credited the poor secondary play to technical issues—vowing to fix it before their matchup against Missouri in the SEC title game, according to Duane Rankin of The Montgomery Advertiser.
Whether it was eye control, not maintaining position on the receiver, not keeping a guy cut off, not playing the right leverage on the guy when you have help. I think these things are technical in nature, and obviously we want to execute a little better than that. That's how we correct things in the film, and that's what we'll do.
But they didn't correct the issue. Alabama routed Missouri 42-13, but Tigers receiver Jimmie Hunt torched the Tide for 169 yards on six receptions.
The Tide's defensive woes are the result of uneven cornerback play. Rotating in and out all season, Bradley Sylve and Tony Brown have failed to settle in, and the Alabama defense has suffered because of it.
That's the weakness Jones and the Buckeyes could exploit.
Against Wisconsin last Saturday, Jones showed the arm strength and the accuracy to burn a defense deep. All three of his touchdown passes went for 39 yards or longer, complementing Ohio State's quick-strike offense perfectly.
The Buckeyes would be smart to attack Alabama's defense the same way. With a quarterback who can throw the ball 75 yards with a flick of his wrist and a deep-threat receiver like Devin Smith—who has averaged 39.1 yards on his 29 career touchdown receptions—Ohio State is strong where Alabama is weak.
Jones' mobility will also be a huge benefit. While no one will confuse the 6'5", 250-pound signal-caller for Braxton Miller or even Barrett, Jones has the athleticism to extend a play and either get the ball upfield or roll out to find a receiver.
Quarterbacks with that skill set, along with teams that run an uptempo offense, have given the Tide fits over the years. Oklahoma and Auburn out-paced the Tide in victories a season ago. Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M did the same in 2012.
Can the Buckeyes repeat that success in their semifinal matchup against Alabama? That possibility certainly exists, especially if Saban and the Tide secondary fail to correct their past mistakes.
All stats via NCAA.com and B/R research.
David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
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