Ohio State Football: Braxton Miller vs. Joe Bauserman—Which QB Looked Better?

It was over before it started.

The Ohio State Buckeyes dominated the Akron Zips in every aspect, winning 42-0 in Luke Fickell's head coaching debut.

One large reason for OSU's season-opening success was quarterback play—something that had collected a massive amount of questioning leading up to the game.

The good news is that we caught a glimpse of excellence between QBs Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller, as the two tag-teamed against the Zips' shaky defense.

However, if Luke Fickell was trying to find his starter after today's performance, the decision didn't get much easier.

Starting his first game in eight years, 25-year-old Joe Bauserman got his chance to prove to the nation that he had the right to be an Ohio State starting quarterback.

He didn't let down.

Bauserman completed 12-of-16 passes (75 percent) for 163 yards and three touchdowns—all to tight end Jake Stoneburner. The fifth-year senior also showed some versatility, scoring once on the ground. He looked like a true field general, flashing his ability to fluently control the offense.

True freshman Braxton Miller got his college career underway in the second quarter. One botched run play, a dropped pass and bad snap later, he found himself on the sidelines for the remainder of the second quarter.

However, the second half was a bit friendlier to the 6'3", 210-pound quarterback from Dayton, Ohio. He completed nearly 67 percent of his passes for 130 yards, including a touchdown sling to freshman teammate Devin Smith.

And with the way Miller escaped a collapsing pocket, it was a wonder whether or not Terrelle Pryor had dressed for the game and put on a No. 5 jersey.

Miller looked extremely poised for being a true freshman making his debut in the Horseshoe. Even if the pressure was burdensome, it didn't show on his confident face. He played with great decision-making skills and gave a preview for defensive coordinators around the country—one to possibly foretell a good amount of headaches in the near future.

Both quarterbacks played with surprising explosiveness, but given the situation, it's conclusive that the veteran QB Joe Bauserman showed up to quiet some critics and overall had more of an alluring performance than his counterpart.

Then again, the question still looms—what would Miller have done with the first team offense?

It looks like the battle will just have to continue when the Toledo Rockets come to Columbus in Week 2.