Ohio State sophomore Braxton Miller is generating some early Heisman Trophy buzz for his play through the first half of the regular-season, but don’t expect coach Urban Meyer to do any campaigning for his quarterback.

Not yet, anyway.

Miller is 11th in the nation in rushing with a 172.2-yard average and 23rd in total offense (303.8 yards rushing and passing). And he dazzled a national television audience in a 63-38 win over Nebraska on Saturday, finishing with 186 yards on the ground in just 16 attempts.

The Wayne High School grad shot up the Heisman projections after that showing. He’s ranked second on a list of candidates at SportsIllustrated.com this week, and he’s also second in a USA Today survey of 35 official voters, although West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith is threatening to turn the race into a runaway.

“It remains to be seen if a player on a team facing a postseason ban can win a Heisman in this era, but aside from Smith, there simply hasn’t been a more consistently impressive player than Miller,” SI.com’s Corey McCartney wrote.

Meyer, though, said the Heisman chatter is premature.

“I don’t think Braxton’s a Heisman candidate right now,” he said. “I think he’s certainly one to watch. He’s got the ability. But then again, I don’t know who is (a candidate). We’re only halfway through the season. In about two or three games, I think you can start talking about that. I’m not talking to Braxton about it. We’re trying to win some games.”

Meyer certainly understands Miller’s value to the team, though. The Buckeyes found themselves bogged down during the first quarter against the Cornhuskers while keeping him in the pocket and trying to establish a running game. But after four straight possessions without a first down, Meyer turned him loose.

“I remember over the headset saying, ‘It’s Braxton time. Let him run the ball and get us started here. Let’s get on the other side of the 50-yard line where things ease up a little bit,’ “ Meyer said.

Miller darted to a 72-yard run to the 3-yard line, and the Cornhuskers couldn’t stop the Buckeyes after that. OSU tallied touchdowns on five straight offensive series and reached the end zone on eight of its 10 possessions over the final three quarters.

Indiana coach Kevin Wilson came up with a scheme to keep Miller reasonably in check last season (105 yards rushing, 55 passing), but he’s not sure it will so well when the teams collide at 8 p.m. today.

“He’s one of the best players in the game,” Wilson said. “His competitiveness is what I like. When the game’s on the line, he makes plays.

“He’s a dynamic player with his feet, and they do a great job offensively. They’ve got some nice pieces around him, but he’s the straw that stirs the drink. Knowing a little bit about him and the guys coaching him, he’s going to get better and better. I just hope we don’t see the best of him (Saturday).”

Meyer is committed to developing Miller as a passer, but the Buckeyes found areas where they could exploit Nebraska on the ground and stuck with it.

“I’m pleased with his progress as a thrower … (but) he’s our best runner. I think he’s one of the top-five runners in America — maybe even higher, (although) I haven’t studied the country,” Meyer said.

“But (former Florida star) Percy Harvin and Braxton Miller are the two best runners I’ve ever had. When it’s time to go win the game, when you have to make a play, I think it’s rather obvious you give the ball to Percy Harvin or give the ball to Braxton Miller.”

Miller likely is a year away from serious Heisman contention, but he’s winning the hearts of Buckeye fans with one sublime performance after another.

A couple in Zanesville reportedly just named their baby girl after the quarterback, calling her “Braxtin” with an “i.”

Meyer said there’s “a lot of young Tebows running around this world, too, I imagine. He’s playing very well. The good thing is he’s very humble. He has virtue that not many guys have.

“He’s a very humble guy. That is a credit to his family and high school coach. … We’ve just got to keep our eye on the target.”