After missing two full games, Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller is expected to return Saturday when the No. 3 Buckeyes host No. 24 Wisconsin. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said as much Monday.
But the question everyone is asking: Should Miller, a Heisman frontrunner before the season, be Ohio State’s starting quarterback right now?
Since Miller suffered a knee injury early in Ohio State’s Week 2 win, backup Kenny Guiton has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country. In nearly three full games, the senior has thrown 12 touchdowns to two interceptions, rushing for 180 yards and another touchdown. His six touchdown passes last week against Florida A&M set a school record, and all of them came by halftime.
Ohio State’s non-conference schedule is complete, and Wisconsin may very well be the toughest team the Buckeyes play this season. There’s no real way to ease Miller back into action. He’ll be thrown right into the fire against a defense that has given up just 243.3 yards per game, sixth in the country.
Kenny Guiton has been huge as Miller’s replacement.(Photo: Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports)
Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer is facing a quandary. After finishing 12-0 last season, there’s too much pressure on this team for Miller not to start, but he’s going to be rusty. Any little mistake he makes will evoke grumbles that Guiton should be on the field.
Having the two quarterbacks split time would be difficult considering their similar skill sets. If Miller starts and isn’t playing particularly well, would Meyer yank him? And what would that mean for the rest of the season?
Ohio State is far from the only team with national title aspirations and quarterback questions. No. 12 Oklahoma will start Blake Bell on Saturday at Notre Dame, his second start after he lost the job to Trevor Knight in the preseason. No. 19 Florida lost its starter Jeff Driskel for the season, and Tyler Murphy will make his first career start Saturday.
The difference is that neither of those teams started the season ranked No. 2, and none of those quarterbacks in question were bona fide Heisman candidates the way Miller was just three weeks ago.
Miller will have his doubters until kickoff Saturday (and maybe after), and the quarterback situation adds another level of drama to Ohio State’s quest to repeat an undefeated slate.
