OSU FOOTBALL As Bucks prepare, QBs Zwick, Smith think about future

The two sophomores-to-be will battle for the starting job next season.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- After two years spent watching from the sidelines, acclaimed recruit Justin Zwick's time may finally be coming to be Ohio State's starting quarterback.
Or will it be Troy Smith's time?
The two are preparing to battle for the starting job in the spring. But first, both Zwick and Smith have jobs to do to get the other Buckeyes ready for the showdown with Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2.
Then, Ohio State fans will have to get ready for more of the same old same old.
"Both of them are great athletes," senior offensive lineman Adrien Clarke said of the two redshirt sophomores-to-be. "The game is second nature to both of them. It's going to be a battle. Since I came here, there's been a battle at quarterback. When I first was here, it was (Steve) Bellisari and I forgot the other guy's name who left (Austin Moherman). Then it was Krenzel and McMullen. There's always going to be a quarterback controversy here."
Such is the aura of being the starting quarterback at Ohio State. People remember the starter's name; the backup is just "the other guy."
Comparison
The simplistic scouting report is that Zwick might be better at reading defenses and is more accurate, but Smith has a better arm and is a better athlete.
Smith, for instance, is running the scout-team offense against Ohio State's first defense, mimicking Kansas State's multi-talented quarterback, Ell Roberson.
"He's helped us all year. He has a great arm and he's getting more and more accurate each week," senior defensive lineman Will Smith said of Smith.
"He's not only a runner, he's a great thrower. He has a really strong arm. He's helped us every week (on the scout team), whether it's as a pocket passer or a guy who likes to scramble."
Smith said he would like to pattern himself after Roberson. He made a telling slip as he explained his plans.
"If I'm given the chance -- when I get the chance -- being able to escape the pocket and make plays is always good," he said.
Zwick continues to get more and more repetitions, particularly when coach Jim Tressel devotes the final 20 minutes of each bowl practice to the underclassmen.
Zwick is a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder who passed for 89 touchdowns during his glittering career, first at Orrville and then Massillon Washington high schools.
Smith also played at two high schools, Lakewood St. Edward and Cleveland Glenville, but has little else in common with Zwick. At 6-1 and 210 pounds, the speedy Smith saw action as a kick returner for the Buckeyes this year.
Wait and see
Many were surprised that Smith had the inside track to the No. 3 spot behind starter Craig Krenzel and backup Scott McMullen last spring. With two seniors ahead of Smith and Zwick, however, there was little time left over for either to gain much game experience.
"It's been hard," Zwick said of the waiting. "Then you kind of realize what's happening and you take that period of time when you're not really doing anything important to get better. You get in the weight room, get a little stronger. There's all kinds of things that you can do with your time."
Smith said he doesn't feel that he and Zwick need to impress the coaching staff with what they can do in the spring.
"I wouldn't say it's proving ourselves so much," he said. "I'd say it's more getting our opportunities and taking care of it."
It will be hard to follow in the cleats of Krenzel and McMullen.
"Ever since I've been here we haven't lost in the 'Shoe," Zwick said. "That's pretty impressive. To come in and follow that, it's a great task but I'm up for it."
Like a canny politician, starting wide receiver Santonio Holmes said he thinks both quarterbacks are talented and he'd love to play catch with either one.
"When it comes down to winter and spring ball, it's going to be a hard fight for both of them," he said, declining to pick a favorite. "I'm just going to be working with whichever one wins the job."
Aside from learning the plays, the eventual starter will likely be the one who can best handle the mental demands of the job.
No team can afford a starting quarterback who doubts himself or his teammates or who has difficulty handling the spotlight.
"Coach Tressel keeps saying that nobody's got a lead, but I'm sure spring and then (summer) camp will tell everything," fifth-year senior offensive lineman Alex Stepanovich said with a knowing grin. "There's a lot of maturity to go between now and then."