Offense Wins, But Not Really, In Ohio State Spring Game

Ohio State's offense won the "Jesse Owens Spring Game", 59-27, but the unique scoring system made it nearly impossible for any other result to take place. Only when the defense made a special play, a forced fumble, interception, or sack, would they gain noteworthy points in the scrimmage format. Standard stops would merely count for one point toward the defensive total, and individual plays that would normally be classified as a big defensive victory, like a tackle-for-loss, were likewise marginalized in the scoring system.

The format kept the game close early, when it appeared the offense would not find any success, and it allowed the offense to eventually blow past the defense once they did discover the endzone. A slew of late touchdowns further distorted the final tally. Taylor Graham, Braxton Miller, and Joe Bauserman all threw for touchdowns in the final thirty plays, saving an offense that often looked painfully out of sync.

Joe Bauserman started the Spring game, but was unsuccessful until his final series. Bauserman's performance in this game reveals, I think, exactly why he can't be Ohio State's starting quarterback in September. His physical limitations are just too much for any Big Ten quarterback to overcome. He may make sound decisions and avoid turnovers, but his presence is a flashing neon light for opposing defensive coordinators to blitz and play tight man coverage. Ohio State simply can't go four or five wide when Bauserman is at quarterback, because they can't protect him. He doesn't get rid of the ball fast enough, and he has a weak arm and is relatively immobile.

Taylor Graham's performance may have hurt Bauserman the most. Like Bauserman, Graham is not an athletic threat with his legs and must operate within the confines of the offense. But unlike Bauserman, Graham showed off a strong arm and an ability to make crisp, quick decisions. Graham does have accuracy issues and was not asked to make complicated reads, but his physical ability alone makes him a more attractive quarterback candidate. Teams would have to respect Graham's ability to spin a deep ball, something they would never fear against Bauserman.

Kenny Guiton and Braxton Miller both played well at times, although Miller initially struggled in his first few series in Ohio Stadium. The true freshman Miller settled down, however, and led two touchdown drives, one that went 92-yards, and finished with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Corey Brown. Kenny Guiton threw a beautiful 17-yard fade routes to Verlon Reed to kick off the offensive scoring, and he finished with 43 yard passing on five completions.

Either Miller or Guiton would be better choices as the starter than Bauserman, I believe, because they would allow Ohio State to maintain some core facets of its offense that disappear with the 25-year old redshirt senior. Guiton and Miller's mobility allows the offensive staff to keep designed runs in the playbook, and spread formations remain an option with the players' run threat always constraining a defense.

Hit the jump for a chart of the quarterbacks' statistics and a list of thoughts on individual players.

Graham's yards per attempt (Y/A) is skewed by a 68-yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Williams, which, while impressive, was not indicative of his entire day. He throws a great ball, but he did not handle pressure well. Coach Heacock pressured Graham often and reached him almost as many times as he blitzed. Still, Graham showed potential and proved that he can develop into a legitimate Big Ten quarterback over time. He's not what Ohio State needs this season, but I would still place him ahead of Bauserman.

I think the competition needs to be down to Kenny Guiton and Braxton Miller. Both have issues and are largely inexperienced, but they offer potential that Bauserman lacks and athleticism that aids the offensive line in pass protection. Guiton's arm strength is not too much better than Bauserman's, but he gets rid of the ball quickly and oftentimes more accurately than the other quarterbacks. Guiton isn't going to threaten any defense with his arm, but he's been in the system long enough where Ohio State won't need to gut the offense with him under center. He can run Ohio State's short-and-intermediate passing game and the designed runs, although he won't be as effective as Terrelle Pryor in either category.

Braxton Miller shows promise, but he couldn't start for the Buckeyes today. He needs to improve the fundamentals-- getting away from center cleanly, hitting his mesh points with the running back, etc.-- before he can play in the Big Ten. That will all be fixed in time, but there may not be enough time to sharpen all those skills before September. The innate ability is clearly there, though. The only question with Miller is how soon he'll be ready.

Quick Thoughts and Information

• In Coach Tressel's press conference, he mentioned that the coaches will study the tape of the quarterbacks chronologically-- from the first day of practice to the Spring game-- and track their progression as much as any individual performance. With three of the four quarterbacks being so young, the coaches are interested in who improved most over the fifteen practices.
• Johnathon Hankins left the game after tripping in pursuit of Braxton Miller. He walked off the field on his own power, but he did look shaken by the stumble.
• The running back depth chart is the strength of this offense. Boom Herron, Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry, and Roderick Smith could all be the starter for this team.
• Johnny Simon and Nathan Williams are two of the best defensive linemen in the country. Simon put a nasty move on walk-on tackle Ben St. John and left him grasping for a body as Simon blew up a run in the backfield.
• T.Y. Williams is a freak. He needs to improve on his skillset at wide receiver, but his athletic ability cannot be taught. His 6''5 frame makes him especially deadly in the redzone. He almost caught a fade for a touchdown, but he stepped out of bounds before coming down with the ball. If he improves his technique, he will play.
• Jordan Hall will replace Brandon Saine as the toolbox tailback. He's being used everywhere on the field, from his normal role as a tailback to being split out wide. He may be the real slot receiver if no one else steps up.
• Braxton Miller runs the speed option better than any quarterback on the roster, including Terrelle Pryor. The speed option is a quick-hitter, and Pryor's long legs inhibit his ability to run it correctly. Miller's short, gashing strides enable him to threaten a defense with a quick cutback, making the play more effective.