CFP-winning QB Cardale Jones named Ohio State starter over J.T. Barrett

— -- BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Ohio State started Cardale Jones at quarterback against Virginia Tech on Monday night, giving him the nod over J.T. Barrett in perhaps the most anticipated decision of opening weekend.

Jones started the final three games of last season, leading the Buckeyes to the national championship after Barrett broke his ankle against Michigan. His performance triggered a monthslong quarterback controversy as coach Urban Meyer made it clear he would not disclose his starter before the season opener. Barrett and Jones' simultaneous emergence eventually led to Braxton Miller moving to receiver in the offseason.

The choice had to be a tough one for Meyer, given what Barrett and Jones did at the helm. Barrett was Big Ten quarterback and freshman of the year, gaining a school-record 3,772 yards and a league-record 45 total touchdowns. Jones, meanwhile, thrived in a pressure-packed situation, gaining 832 total yards and scoring six touchdowns in his three starts against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game, Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal and Oregon in the CFP National Championship.

Barrett started against Virginia Tech last year and had his worst performance of the season in his second career start, going 9-of-29 for 218 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions, along with 70 yards on the ground.

Jones wasted no time justifying Meyer's decision to start him. After the Buckeyes forced a punt on the game's opening drive, Jones went 3-for-4 on a 64-yard drive that was punctuated by a 24-yard touchdown pass to  Curtis Samuel.

After another Hokies drive stalled, running back  Ezekiel Elliott took the first snap of Ohio State's second drive 80 yards for a touchdown and quick 14-0 lead. 

With the Buckeyes trailing 17-14 early in the third quarter, Jones broke out of a minor slump and hit on another big scoring play when he found Miller for a 54-yard touchdown to regain the lead. It was Miller's first touchdown catch since transitioning to receiver.

After Jones finished a 75-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown scamper that stretched Ohio State's lead to 35-17, Barrett entered and led a 75-yard drive of his own that featured a 40-yard run and ended with a 25-yard touchdown strike to  Michael Thomas on Barrett's first throw of the season.