Ohio State Football: How Much Will Braxton Miller Play in 2011?

If Ohio State coach Luke Fickell knows how much freshman phenom Braxton Miller will be playing this year, he’s not telling. 

Last week, Fickell announced that senior Joe Bauserman and Miller would split time this season. 

Though he plans on using the two-quarterback system in the season opener against Akron, Fickell realizes that at the end of the day, only one player can prevail. 

"You’ve got to give guys opportunities to see what they'll do in front of 106,000…it’s a competition,” he said. 

Even Miller is playing coy. “There’s [a pecking order]. As a freshman, I always go last. With reps, I want to learn from the other quarterbacks,” he said during practice. 

“I’m not coming in with that mindset [to start on the field]. I just want to get better…I need to learn the system and take baby steps.” 

Based on Miller’s performance so far, he will certainly see a good amount of playing time just by splitting the starting position with Bauserman. As the season goes on, the decision should become clear that Miller can handle the Buckeye offense. 

That is, if Miller can adjust and learn from his preseason problems. 

For one, Miller still needs to master the entire playbook. It was surely overwhelming for him to arrive on campus, begin classes and start practicing. Now, he needs to focus on studying every in and out of the Buckeye offense. 

“I take it one day at a time, four plays a day.” 

“I’ve gotta learn some more,” he joked. 

Miller continued to say that he feels confident in the plays he’s been able to master, but there is still a long way to go. 

Secondly, Miller needs to work on his passing skills. While he undoubtedly has a rocket arm and lightning speed, he is still not hitting his receivers during some key plays. This is one of the more difficult transitions from high school to college play. 

According to Miller, coach Fickell is working on that. “He critiques everything I do wrong, and everything I do right. I just take it all in…this is a long learning process.” 

There is no doubt that Miller has the capability to lead the Buckeyes offense; now, it’s just a matter of time and patience. 

Season prediction: Early on, Miller will emerge as the primary candidate. Fickell will make a decision by the Michigan State game, so the quarterback can focus on the October 8 game against Nebraska.