Backup QB gives Buckeyes insurance

The worst-case scenario for Ohio State’s national championship hopes was never an upset loss, at least not against the likes of Buffalo, San Diego State or Floria A&M.

Even next week’s road game against California seemed a mere speed bump on the way to a BCS date of some kind, perhaps a berth in the title game.

But an injury to quarterback Braxton Miller, the dual-threat junior considered a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate?

That could change everything.

Miller is more susceptible to bumps and bruises because of his style of play. The Buckeyes’ quarterback passed for 2,039 yards and 15 touchdowns last season and ran for 1,271 yards — an Ohio State record for QBs — and 13 TDs. He was essentially another running back on the field and took a number of hits that forced him to the sideline at times last season.

Keeping Miller healthy was a priority this season and Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer talked of his quarterback throwing more and running less in the hopes of accomplishing that.

But Miller hurt his knee on a run on Ohio State’s first series against San Diego State on Saturday and spent the rest of the game as a spectator. The preliminary diagnosis is an MCL sprain and it seems at the moment like Miller should be available against California.

But if he can’t play, all may not be lost for the third-ranked Buckeyes (2-0).

Senior backup Kenny Guiton filled in for Miller against the Aztecs (0-2) and the Ohio State offense lost nothing in the process.

Guiton was 19 of 28 for 152 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 83 yards and a TD on nine carries. His only mistake was a one-handed interception by San Diego State’s Damontae Kazee, who made a one-handed grab.

It seems Guiton has been in the Ohio State program for a decade. The fifth-year senior — he redshirted in 2009 — out of Eisenhower High in Houston knows the offense and is so well thought of by his teamates and the Ohio State coaching staff that he was named a team captain in August.

Guiton proved his value last season after Miller was injured against Purdue in an Oct. 20 game at Ohio Stadium.

The Boilermakers led 22-14 with 47 seconds to play, but Guiton completed passes of 39 yards to Devin Smith and 8 yards to Evan Spencer as the Buckeyes drove to Purdue’s 11.

Guiton eventually hit Chris Fields for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 22-20 with 3 seconds to play, then threw a 2-point conversion pass to Jeff Heuerman to tie the game and force overtime.

Guiton then led the Buckeyes on a five-play touchdown drive in overtime for an unlikely 29-22 victory.

Meyer wants Miller on the field as much as possible. He’s one of the most talented players in the country and a legitimate Heisman candidate after finishing fifth in the voting last season.

But the Buckeyes are fortunate to have Guiton ready to fill in when necessary, because most teams must deal with a significant drop-off in physical ability and leadership when a starting quarterback goes down.

Guiton showed last season and again Saturday that he might be the most capable backup in the country. That should help Ohio State fans breathe easier when Miller tucks it and runs.

Write Vindicator Sports Editor Ed Puskas at epuskas@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @edpuskas85.