Ohio State Football: Buckeyes Must Be Careful Not to Overwork Braxton Miller

Sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller has got the Ohio State Buckeyes off to a brilliant start this season, using his dual-threat ability to wreak havoc on Miami (OH) and UCF.

However, when it comes to dual-threat quarterbacks, there is always the danger of injury.

That's why the Buckeyes must be careful with Miller. He already has 44 carries through two games. Only 10 players have more carries than him in the FBS, and all of them are running backs.

Although Miller said he was "pretty good" this week, he also said he was "a little bit sore" after the game against UCF, according to the Associated Press (via the Boston Herald).

That's certainly understandable.

It's also another reason why it's important that Ohio State keeps senior running back Jordan Hall healthy moving forward and gets junior Carlos Hyde back relatively soon. The Buckeyes do have sophomore Rod Smith and freshman Bri'onte Dunne, but they are inexperienced.

Hall returns on Saturday against Cal after a freak injury in the summer, while Hyde sprained his right MCL against UCF (per the Cleveland Plain Dealer) and will miss Saturday's game.

Ohio State could very well run wild with Miller against a mediocre Cal defense on Saturday. The Golden Bears have already given up a combined 62 points and allowed Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo to rush for 97 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.

But Urban Meyer and company would rather not ask too much from the young quarterback. With dates against Michigan State (Sept. 29), Nebraska (Oct. 6), Wisconsin (Nov. 17) and Michigan (Nov. 24) down the road, it would be wise to keep Miller fresh.

Miller will be key for the No. 12 Buckeyes moving forward, and he gives them a shot of upsetting the Spartans on Sept. 29 in East Lansing.

Ohio State just needs to keep him upright until then.