Ohio State Football: 5 Reasons Braxton Miller Will Be 2011 Freshman of the Year

Braxton Miller has the fate of the Ohio State Football program resting on his shoulders; and he's only 18.

When Miller committed to play football at Ohio State, the thought of him starting from opening week probably never entered his mind. The plan was for Miller to learn under Terrelle Pryor for a year, then take the reigns in 2012.

Things don't always go according to plan.

With Terrelle Pryor entering the 2011 NFL Supplemental Draft, the Miller era begins this season.

I'm here to tell you why Miller will not not only have a successful freshman campaign for the Buckeyes, but why he'll claim some hardware at the end of the year.  

5. Stable of Hungry Running Backs

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Jaamal Berry #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Utilizing Ohio State's deep crop of running backs will be key to the success of Braxton Miller as a quarterback. 

With Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry, Roderick Smith and Dan Herron, the Buckeyes should be able to establish an elite rushing attack early in every game. 

With the running game clicking, not only will pressure be taken off of Miller, but the passing game should set up nicely. 

4. Favorable Opening to the Schedule

http://hilifelivin.com/2010/11/15/braxton-miller-for-hi-life-livin/

For a young quarterback trying to make the transition from high school to Division I football, opening up against Akron, followed by Toledo in the Shoe week two, Braxton Miller will gain vital game experience and more importantly gain personal confidence.

Miller gets his first huge road test of his young career week three against Miami. If he can shock the Hurricanes and come out of that game with a win, Miller will have his next two at home.

With four of the first five games at home, Miller should be a different player come week six when the Buckeyes travel to Lincoln, Neb. to take on the Cornhuskers.

3. Talented Group of Receivers

http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Article/FRR-Minton-On-Miller-28160

Corey Brown, Chris Fields, James Jackson, Jake Stoneburner and T.Y. Williams may not be household names, but this young receiving corps can be really good for Braxton Miller next year.

Star wideout DeVier Posey will also be available after he serves his five game suspension, giving Miller another weapon to air it out too.

This will be the fastest group of receivers the Buckeyes have fielded since the days of Ted Ginn and Santonio Holmes. Not saying they're as skilled yet, but these guys can fly.

You can bet that Miller will be airing out some deep balls in the opening weeks, and with Jake Stoneburner running the inside routes, Miller has premier young talent at his disposal.  

2. Dual Threat Quarterback

http://www.thebuckeyetimes.com/2011/04/ohio-state-freshman-braxton-miller.html

There are many benefits to not only having a big arm as a quarterback, but also possessing the ability to take off and run the ball. 

Braxton Miller will be learning the system and adjusting to game speed on the fly, so his ability to turn a broken-down play into positive yardage will be key. 

Miller runs a 4.4 40-yard dash, and at 6'3" and 210 pounds, Miller can always rely on his sheer athleticism to make plays, as he demonstrated countless times during his high school days at Wayne where he threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for another 900 while accounting for over 34 total touchdowns his senior year. 

1. Cool, Calm and Confident

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/01/04/braxton-miller-ohio-state/index.html

You can learn a good amount about a player by how they carry themselves during interviews, and Braxton Miller does not seem to be phased one bit, despite the challenge at his hands.

He's as smooth during interviews as he is on the field, and that is good news for Buckeye Nation. Miller has the talent, but not the ego.