Braxton Miller Injury: Buckeyes Doomed After Nebraska Collapse

The Braxton Miller injury on Saturday night resulted in an Ohio State Buckeye collapse resembling a stock-market crash.

Before the injury, Miller had this Ohio State team scoring points, moving the ball and leading the game 27-6, resembling the power team they had been known for in seasons past.  

However, the turning point of the game began with Miller fumbling the ball, resulting in a Nebraska touchdown. After reducing its lead by seven points, Ohio State suffered an even bigger blow the team never saw coming.  

After the fumble, Braxton went down midway through their first offensive drive with an ankle injury. The Buckeye team saw their leader needing assistance from trainers to leave the field, and it resulted in a fallout on both sides of the ball.  

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock, was dissatisfied with the way the team responded to Miller’s injury, “It shouldn’t affect the Buckeyes, that’s the way I look at it. It shouldn’t. I would imagine that’s where maturity comes up and leadership and somebody’s got to take charge out there.”  

But, Miller’s replacement, senior Joe Bauserman, was unable to provide the leadership he was looking for to help Ohio State stop the Nebraska comeback. Completing only one pass on 10 attempts for 13 yards and one interception, he did nothing to counter any of Nebraska’s scoring or help run time off the game clock to preserve their lead.  

Now, with no news on the extent of Miller’s injury, it leaves a big question mark at who is going to lead Ohio State next week against the No. 16 team in the country, Illinois.  

If Braxton’s high ankle sprain is able to heal in time for Saturday’s game, the offense should continue to improve as it did against Nebraska. But, if Braxton cannot play because of the injury, the Ohio State offense relies on Bauserman, which should scare the Buckeye Nation.  

Bauserman began this year as the Ohio State starting quarterback. But, poor performances against Toledo and Miami (FL) sent the senior to the bench.

Since Miller stepped in for Bauserman during the Miami (Fla.) game in Week 3, Bauserman has only appeared in relief situations.  

In those cases, Bauserman has done nothing to sway the coaches’ decision to make the switch back to him as starting QB. In fact, he’s only been able to direct the Buckeye offense on one touchdown drive in his last two games.  

If Ohio State has to turn to Joe against a high-scoring Illinois team, the end result will not be pretty for the Buckeyes.  

It’s amazing how one injury...to a freshman...has completely derailed the hope that was instilled after the first half of the Nebraska game when Ohio State seemed to be on the verge of saving their season.

Now, the “Season from Hell” continues for the Buckeyes and their fans. 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon