COLUMBUS, Ohio - A lot of college teams have trouble finding one quality quarterback.
No. 4 Ohio State has two.
The problem for Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer is he can only play one at a time and both have played well enough to start.
Braxton Miller, back from an injured knee, will get the starting nod against No. 23 Wisconsin on Saturday over Kenny Guiton, Meyer said.
“I think Braxton will probably start. He had a good day today and it looks like he’s pretty close to 100 percent,” Meyer said. “I just wanted to make sure running the ball he’s good, too, and he was. And Kenny’s good.”
Then he voiced the problem that is clearly bothering him.
“We’re still working through exactly how we’re going to use them, to manage the game,” he said. “But they both look good.”
Guiton is coming off three terrific games and back-to back Big Ten offensive player of the week honors. But he is still behind Miller, recovering from a sprained knee ligament
It’s a luxury, but at the same time it’s something else to worry about. Meyer hasn’t figured out how, when or how much - of even if - he’ll use Guiton.
“I’ve had experience playing two in 2006, and it’s hard,” he said, referring to his national championship season at Florida when he had Chris Leak and Tim Tebow at quarterback. “When a guy gets a hot hand, or if he doesn’t get the hot hand, then when does he go back in? That’s a decision I can only make by myself.”
On the Buckeyes’ most recent two-deep chart they are listed as co-starters.
Now, it’s not as if the offense can’t run a play until it knows who its triggerman will be. Neither candidate just came in off the waiver wire.All of those practices in the heat of August and throughout the past three seasons have created a familiarity that is helpful.
“Our offense really doesn’t change a ton,” receivers coach Zach Smith said of the nuances between Miller and Guiton. “There may be certain plays that we like better with Braxton or that we like better with Kenny.”
Miller has started for more than two years. He was the Big Ten’s offensive player of the year in 2012 while leading the Buckeyes to a 12-0 record. The 6-2, 215-pound junior, who sprained the medial-collateral ligament in his left knee early in the second game of the season, needs just 13 yards to pass Cornelius Greene as Ohio State’s rushing leader among quarterbacks (2,080 yards).
Of course, as that last note indicates, Miller’s forte is scrambling or taking off on designed runs. He is also a serviceable passer, but his injury may limit his ability to make cuts, which is his strength.
If he is even slightly hindered in that regard, Meyer may elect to go with Guiton.
Guiton was stuck on the sideline for most of his first three seasons at Ohio State before he was called on to replace the injured Miller in the fourth quarter of last year’s game against Purdue. The 6-3, 208-pound fifth-year senior led an improbable 61-yard drive in the final minute, completing a touchdown pass and then converting on a two point conversion pass with 3 seconds left to force overtime. The Buckeyes won, preserving their perfect record.
When Miller went down early against San Diego State game, Guiton came in as if he had been ordained as one of the Heisman Trophy favorites. Things haven’t changed in the two games since, either. He’s completing better than 68 percent of his passes for 13 touchdowns with two interceptions. He’s also run for 186 yards and a score.
Sports, Pages 21 on 09/26/2013