Back Into the Swing: JIM-JAM, Rage, and the Dying of the Light
August 30, 2011Da Clip Show: Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 8/30/11
August 30, 2011This Buckeyes have used multiple quarterbacks before. Just recently, before Troy Smith was a Heisman candidate, he was battling with Justin Zwick for playing time. Before them, Joe Germaine and Stanley Jackson also took turns under center.
This year the Buckeyes released an official depth chart for their opening game which did not make a distinction between the top two quarterbacks. Joe Bauserman or Braxton Miller are the starter according to the chart. Most people associated with the team believe Bauserman will start the game against Akron under center. Miller will certainly get his shot to play however.
And that makes sense. Bauserman is a Senior, and an ‘old’ Senior at that. He does know what it’s like to take snaps in Ohio Stadium in the fall with 100,000+ Buckeye faithful watching. He has a pair of TD passes under his belt. But he is by no means a seasoned veteran.
Braxton Miller is the freshman phenom. Many were hoping that the 6-3 athlete from Huber Heights would have come into camp this summer and just wowed new coach Luke Fickell into a starting position. That didn’t happen. Neither QB played leaps and bounds above the other forcing everyone to acknowledge they were ‘the guy’.
Here’s the thing though- nobody questions that Braxton Miller has more potential. It really isn’t a matter of ‘if’ Miller will take the job from Bauserman, but ‘when’ he will.
I’d like to answer that ‘when’ question.
Let Miller ease into the game against Akron and Toldeo. I’d like to see him play at least half of both games. The third game of the season is in Miami against what could be a very depleted Hurricane team. While I’d love to see Miller forcing Coach Fickell’s hand already, I’d be fine with Bauserman starting the first road game of the season (this is provided Bauserman isn’t a turnover machine and can at least manage the game a bit). The game I’m really looking at is against Michigan State in week 5.
The Buckeyes’ chances of winning the Big Ten this season are going to depend on the defense first and foremost, and how quickly Braxton Miller can get up to speed leading the offense. Three of the first four Big Ten games for Ohio State are also the toughest they will likely play. Michigan State, Nebraska and Wisconsin are those three, and the fourth is a trip to Illinois, which has been a problem spot in the past.
Beyond the Big Ten title, Luke Fickell is unfortunately coaching for his job this season. That being the case, I can’t imagine him not wanting to have the most talented guy, with the most potential playing as soon as possible. Braxton did enroll early at Ohio State, and so he has the spring camps and practices under his belt as well. Let’s hope that once he hits the field, things start coming together for him, and the Buckeyes.
8 Comments
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I-O!
I don’t remember ever being this excited for OSU football to start (or for the OSU football offseason to end). I’ve heard nothing but good things about Bauserman and I say there is no point in rushing the young guy in to action if your 80 year-old senior QB is playing solid football. If OSU can win it all with Craig Freaking Krenzel, then we should be fine with JB.
@ CB
Unfortunately, I’ve never seen anything from Bauserman to give me any hope – and the reports are that he hasn’t exactly wowed anyone this summer (but then again, neither has Miller). Still, it’s really the only position that has me worried, and even then, I think we’ll be fine. (BTW, Krenzel was a freaking smart dude, both off the field and on. I hope Bauserman can be even a shadow of what Krenzel was.)
Couldn’t agree more with the excitement for the season to begin. I couldn’t be happier that the off-season is almost over and that expectations are as low as they are. For the first time in many years, I think this year will just be plain fun to watch, with none of the stress of being placed arbitrarily on top before the first kick-off.
Ah nuts, I was late on the @ #1…my bad.
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@ Garry-
I haven’t been to a practice or anything, but I think it was D. Posey being interviewed and he said he was really impressed with the way that Bauserman had progressed from last year. I’ve read a few other things like that and my only hope is that knowing he had a chance to be QB1 for his last year at OSU brought out some desire and talent that maybe wasn’t there in previous years when he knew he wasn’t going to play. If he starts out this year like he played at Illinois last year then the hook can’t come fast enough, that’s for sure.