Ohio State Football: Why Braxton Miller Will Unseat Joe Bauserman by October 1

Joe Bauserman is Ohio State's starting quarterback for Saturday's opener against Akron, with freshman Braxton Miller expected to get snaps. 

But for Buckeye fans that might be dreading the thought of Bauserman starting—and based on his resume it's tough to blame them—that might not last too long.

Miller will get some looks in the first two games without a doubt, but when push comes to shove, the question is: Will Miller's pure athletic abilities outweigh Bauserman's experience?

The answer takes us back to 2008 when freshman Terrelle Pryor, who other than Maurice Clarett has become the most polarizing player in Buckeye history, unseated Todd Boeckman, who was much better than Bauserman, for the starting QB job.

Boeckman looked dreadful in the second game against Ohio and had a nightmarish game against USC, which ultimately led to the decision to start Pryor over the senior.

This time around, hopefully the QB situation doesn't change because Bauserman just can't perform. The hope is that Miller wins the job because he is simply better than the senior.

And while we don't know for sure what goes on in practice and what we will get to see out of Miller on Saturday, the highlight footage on YouTube and the progressions he has made (according to practice reports) are very intriguing at the minimum.

Miller's hype is undeniable. 

His athleticism is incredible.

And, by most accounts, he is a better pure QB than Terrelle Pryor was, probably even more than halfway into his sophomore season.

But hype is just that: hype. If he delivers on Saturday and leads two or three touchdown drives against Akron, and Bauserman doesn't match him point for point, then those calls for Miller to start will grow.

And in a year in which Ohio State wants to get out of the negative limelight, they have no time for a QB controversy, especially if people believe the starter can't get the job done.

Miller's ceiling is as high as the Sears Tower. Bauserman is the steady guy whose ceiling only goes so high at this point.

But at the end of the day, you go with the guy who gives you the best chance to win every game.

Miller's ability to run and break defenses down is a massive tool that he can use at almost any time.

He is not as fast as Pryor, but he may be more elusive and decisive as a runner, which was one of the biggest complaints about Pryor early on in his career.

Is Miller better than Pryor? No—not yet at least. 

But is he good enough to start? Yes.

It's only a matter of time before Miller gets the starting job. Somehow, you get the feeling that Bauserman is just keeping the seat warm for the freshman to step in. 

And that could happen in a week, two weeks or, most likely, before the Big Ten opener against Michigan State on October 1.

Circle that date as the latest that Miller should be starting as Ohio State's QB for the rest of the season. 

For more college football news, opinions and updates, follow me on Twitter @bielik_tim. Join me on Saturday for a live blog of Ohio State vs. Akron here on Bleacher Report!