The Heisman Trophy Selection Committee had better be watching QB Braxton Miller closely. Yes, the Ohio State Buckeyes are ineligible for postseason play this year, but they might have the most dynamic college quarterback in the country, and he should put up some outstanding numbers once again this week in what should be a romp over the Cal Golden Bears.
It is going to take a lot for Ohio State University to beat the 16 ½-point spread for your college football odds, but there is a real question as to whether the Bears have any way of stopping Miller. Cal has allowed 410.5 YPG this year, ranking No. 78 in the nation, and that has come against such powerhouses as Nevada and Southern Utah.
One look at that game against the Wolf Pack will show just how badly these Cal defenders need to play assignment football. QB Cody Fajardo threw for 230 yards and rushed for 97 more on the day out of the pistol. Though the scheme is slightly different, the concept is the same. Miller is a more athletic and more exciting version of Fajardo, and he is going to be asked to do more for his team.
Miller still has a lot of work to do to perfect throwing the pill. He has only been asked to throw it 48 times this year, but he has a 66.7 completion percentage and has thrown just one pick against three TDs. The real key for Miller is what he has been able to do with his legs. He has a pair of games over 100 yards rushing, and he has 302 yards and four scores this year. That ranks Miller fifth in America on the ground, and he is tied for 12th for the most touchdowns scored.
On top of that, the Buckeyes have played a lot more formidable schedule thus far, going against the Miami Redhawks, who could be a bowl team out of the MAC this year, and the UCF Knights, whom many thought might have had the ability to bust the BCS if they could have gotten the ‘W’ in the ‘Shoe.
Saturday should be another great game for Miller, and another romp for the Buckeyes. Watch out Heisman hopefuls. It’s going to be difficult to deny the OSU quarterback if he can keep up like this.
