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| QB controversy? |
A disappointing performance in Miami has left a bitter taste in the mouth of many Buckeye fans. One of the hottest topics has been whether or not Joe Bauserman will continue to get the majority of the snaps under center. Bauserman certainly did not look like a starting quarterback on Saturday against the Hurricane defense. The 25-year-old senior was 2-14 for just 13 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Simply put, that is terrible. There is no other way around it. I thought Braxton Miller would give the Buckeyes the best chance to win this season, and while he was not great against Miami, he at least provides a spark to the offense.
Braxton Miller was given limited opportunities against the Miami defense, throwing just four passes, completed two for 22 yards. Miller also had an interception and a fumble lost, but he was trying to make plays happen. He also rushed for 34 yards.
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| To say Bauserman struggled vs. Miami would be an understatement |
Joe Bauserman often looked scared and hesitant to throw the ball. One play, for example, was a third down from the 7-yard line where Bauserman double-pumped before throwing the ball behind Jake Stoneburner that would have been a touchdown. One could make the argument that Stoneburner should have made the catch anyway, but it was a simple pass that should have been made, especially if you are the starting quarterback for The Ohio State University.
Miller has the ability to make big plays at any given time, but he must be reminded constantly to protect the ball, especially when scrambling. Miller may have been lucky to only have one fumble with the way he loosely carried the ball. If Miller can protect the ball, there is no doubt that he gives the Buckeyes the best chance to win. Bauserman had a three game audition and he got progressively worse after a stellar performance against a poor Akron team.
Bauserman’s psyche has to be damaged. He was booed in the Toledo game, and only got worse against Miami. If Luke Fickell sends Bauserman out to take the first offensive snap against Colorado, I fear the worst from 105,000 in the Horseshoe.
If you think this week’s game has a familiar feel to it, you are not alone. This game against Colorado reminds me an awful lot of the 2008 game against Troy. In 2008, a senior, Todd Boeckman, was the incumbent at quarterback, while there a freshman phenom, Terrelle Pryor, waiting in the wings. The senior was widely criticized for his poor play in the first few games of the season and many fans were calling for the freshman to step in and save the day. In this year’s play, Joe Bauserman reprises the unenviable role of Todd Boeckman, while Braxton Miller takes the role of the highly-recruited mobile freshman.
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| Boeckman's poor performance vs. USC led to Terrelle Pryor taking over |
Both games will follow embarrassing road losses, coming home to face an opponent that Buckeye fans will expect to defeat. That September day back in 2008, Terrelle Pryor got his first start for Ohio State and went on to throw four touchdown passes. Todd Boeckman made it on to the field for one play, and boos rained down on him from the 102,989 that were in attendance that day. On that one play, Boeckman threw an incompletion and never saw the field again the rest of the day.
Giving Braxton Miller the starting job will benefit the Buckeyes most, both for this season and in the future. Giving Miller simple decisions and continuing to run the ball will make life easier for the freshman, allowing him to become more comfortable in the college game.
Joe Bauserman will continue to play a crucial role in the development of the young freshman, but there is one thing Buckeye fans should know: it is Miller Time.
