Ohio State will stick with Cardale Jones as its starting quarterback

Cardale Jones will remain top-ranked Ohio State’s quarterback Saturday against Western Michigan.

Coach Urban Meyer announced the decision following practice Wednesday, two days after hinting he was considering starting J.T. Barrett.

Jones was pulled in the second quarter of a 20-13 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday after having two passes intercepted.

“Someone has to beat someone out,” Meyer said. “You don’t anoint people.”

Jones led Ohio State to the national championship last season and started the first three games this season.

Barrett was 11-1 last season starting for injured two-time Big Ten player of the year Braxton Miller before breaking his ankle in the regular-season finale against Michigan. Jones replaced Barrett and led Ohio State to victories over Wisconsin in the conference title game, Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals and Oregon to the championship game.

“[Jones] was the quarterback at the finish [last season],” Meyer said. “He was the quarterback in spring practice, the only healthy one, and he was the starter this season. He is the guy unless he doesn’t perform well.”

As the offensive production decreased the first three games this season with Jones in charge, Barrett’s playing time increased.

In mop-up duty against Virginia Tech in the opener, Barrett had a 40-yard run and a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Barrett played three series in the second quarter against Hawaii when the offense had trouble moving the ball, but Jones finished the 38-0 victory. Meyer started Jones last week against Northern Illinois, but after scoring just three points, Barrett entered for the remainder of the game.

Barrett took Ohio State 44 yards in four plays for the only offensive TD of the game — a 23-yard pass to Michael Thomas.

Jones has completed 26 of 46 passes for 334 yards this season with two touchdowns and three interceptions and a 118.82 efficiency rating. He has 115 yards on 21 carries and a score. Barrett has 103 passing yards (20 of 35), two touchdowns, an interception and a 116.61 rating. He has rushed five times for 65 yards.

Florida players suspended

Two Florida players who made pivotal contributions last year in a victory at Tennessee won’t be around for the rematch.

The Gators suspended quarterback Treon Harris and cornerback Jalen Tabor for their game Saturday against the Volunteers.

Coach Jim McElwain announced the suspensions following practice Wednesday, saying Harris and Tabor made “choices.”

“They made choices, and that’s the way it goes,” McElwain said. “I’m not angry at them at all. It’s a choice. Each one of us [has] a choice, and they made a choice to do whatever. It hurts because we’ve got a lot of guys that really care about this team, and we’ll have to have some of the guys step up and play.”

Harris and Tabor, both sophomores, were suspended one game for an undisclosed violation of University Athletic Association policy.

Etc.

Miami linebacker Marques Gayot is expected to make a full recovery after injuring his neck during practice. School officials said Gayot will be released from a hospital on Thursday, and that he was airlifted to a trauma center in an abundance of caution. Gayot will wear a neck collar as he recovers and no timetable for his return to football-related activity was announced. ... Pittsburgh Coach Pat Narduzzi said quarterback Nate Peterman will make a second straight start next week when the Panthers (2-1) travel to Virginia Tech. Peterman, a graduate transfer from Tennessee, completed 20 of 29 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions Saturday in a 27-24 loss to Iowa.