Terrelle Pryor Leaves Ohio State: 8 Bold Predictions for New QB Braxton Miller
Terrelle Pryor's premature departure from Ohio State means one thing for sure. You can now take the interim tag off Braxton Miller's shoulders.
The highly touted dual-threat quarterback will no longer be the fill-in until Pryor returns from what was going to be a five-game suspension.
The bar is now much higher. Miller, who enrolled at Ohio State in January, is armed with all the credentials.
A 5-star (scout.com) recruit from Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Miller passed for 17 touchdowns and ran for 17 more. He recorded more than 2,800 total yards (2,167 passing, 659 rushing) as a senior.
More importantly, he was looking comfortable in the spring game April 23rd.
Right tackle J.B. Shugarts was impressed.
“Everyone is helping Braxton a lot,” Shugarts said. “He’s doing a great job. He’s really poised out there, especially for someone straight out of high school. He’s not missing a beat at all.”
Like Shugarts, the Buckeye nation expects huge things from Miller, maybe just not right away.
Let's take a look at how Miller may do in his opening season.
A Favorable Early Season Schedule
1 of 8Ever since tattoo-gate's five-game suspensions were introduced, Buckeye fans breathed easier when they analyzed the opening portion of the schedule.
Ohio State would open with Akron, Toledo, Miami (FL), Colorado and Michigan State.
Miller, who's expected to beat out senior Joe Bauserman, sophomore Ken Guiton and freshman Taylor Graham, will have plenty of time to get ready for the conference opener against the Spartans.
In fact, he'll also have a whole season to prepare for the school up north.
The Terrelle Pryor Comparison
2 of 8
Terrelle Pryor led the Buckeyes to three Big Ten championships, three wins over Michigan and a pair of BCS bowl victories.
Sounds impressive, but many saw him as an underachiever. Others portrayed him as a victim of now departed Jim Tressel's conservative offense.
Pryor did put up some dazzling stats, but he never won the national title he was expected to do.
Miller, with the NCAA madness in the forefront, may be saved from the excessive scrutiny laid on Pryor.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere in Columbus may be just as fickle, in more ways than one.
The Denard Robinson Comparison
3 of 8
A pair of circumstantial differences come to mind when comparing these potential Heisman winners.
In his one season as a starter, Robinson shattered records galore by playing in a read-option offense and basically on a one-man team.
Miller, despite the early tattoo-gate losses, still has a solid team around him. Ohio State's offense, while many think will be less conservative this year, doesn't nearly expose the quarterback like Michigan's did last season.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Confidence Builders
4 of 8
Throughout high school, Braxton Miller was equally adept at passing and throwing. Against Akron (1-11) he'll face few problems. Toledo, despite finishing 7-1 in the MAC and 8-5 overall, should also offer little opposition. Toledo, you may recall, allowed nearly 28 points per game last season.
In these opening games, Miller can notch a pair of victories by handing the ball off to Jordan Hall or keeping it himself.
Can Miller Overcome Miami?
5 of 8
This will be the first real test on the schedule. If the Buckeyes can get past the U, one would think Colorado would be a piece of cake.
Miller will still be without the services of running back Dan Herron and wide receiver DeVier Posey. But this is also a game where interim coach Luke Fickell will be auditioning for the head coaching job.
There are a few similarities to the 2001 season when the Bucks traveled to Ann Arbor with an untested quarterback and a rookie coach.
One also wonders if there might be a quarterback controversy brewing. It probably all depends if any dissension creeps into the current squad.
Likewise who knows what else the NCAA may cook up?
In any event, Miller's going to need his arm for Ohio State to win this one. A victory would do a great service to the Buckeye's overall attitude. A defeat might not hurt so bad, since it's a non-conference game and a loss might even be expected.
A Spartan Challenge
6 of 8Maybe it's because the teams didn't meet last season, but some have forgotten that the Buckeyes have a seven-game winning streak against the Spartans. Maybe it's because Michigan State, Wisconsin and Ohio State are co-Big 10 champions.
In any case, Miller will be going up against a fine quarterback himself in Kirk Cousins. It's conceivable, but doubtful, that both teams will be undefeated when they meet in Columbus October 1st.
The strength of Michigan State's squad in 2010 was defense—that is until the spartan ran into Alabama in the Citrus Bowl.
Now is the time when pressure begins to get to freshmen quarterbacks. Will Miller be up to it?
Prime Time in Lincoln
7 of 8
No more excuses. The tat-five (minus Pryor) will be back in uniform so the Buckeyes will be displaying their swagger in the first ever Big 10 conference game between Nebraska and Ohio State. The two teams played a pair of non-league contests several years ago with Ohio State winning both.
Both teams will also be coming off tough weeks. Nebraska will have met Wisconsin in Madison and the Buckeyes will have faced Michigan State.
Nebraska could be the toughest defense Ohio State will face all year, so running back Dan Herron will be welcomed back in the lineup.
Of course this game will be critical, as will the upcoming showdown with Wisconsin.
However, it's the time of year when thoughts begin shifting to Ann Arbor and the challenge ahead.
On to the Big House
8 of 8
Regardless what happens during the season it'll be time for Braxton Miller to step up.
The Buckeyes are still expected to play in the Big 10's inaugural title game, and Miller likely will have a hand in getting them there.
But "The Game" will always take precedence over the Big 10 championship. And neither Brady Hoke, Luke Fickell or Braxton Miller would like a taste from the wrong end of the straw.
Many predict 2011 will be the beginning of a downward spiral in Columbus. With scholarships lost, games vacated and a possible title taken away, a victory over Michigan would make the offseason feel just a bit better.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
