Miller expected to start against Wisconsin


NEXT GAME

Ohio State (4-0) vs. Wisconsin (3-1), 8 p.m., ABC, 1410

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller has been saying his injured left knee is healthy enough for him to play against Wisconsin, but coach Urban Meyer wanted to see his quarterback dart around with his usual elusiveness before sending him back into action.

Miller apparently passed that test.

“I think Braxton will probably start. He had a good day today. I think he’s close to 100 percent,” Meyer said after Wednesday’s practice.

Asked how natural Miller’s movements looked, Meyer replied, “Very natural.”

The only suspense appears to be what do to with backup Kenny Guiton, who has played masterfully for three games.

Meyer said he’s still working out a plan to play both Saturday night, but there’s no guarantee the back-to-back Big Ten offensive player of the week honoree will get off the bench. Efforts to put Guiton into the game could blow up if Miller starts out on a roll.

“That’s tough,” Meyer said. “I had experience playing two in 2006 (Chris Leak and Tim Tebow), and it’s hard if a guy gets a hot hand. Or if he doesn’t get the hot hand, when does he go back in? It’s all those things.

“That’s a decision I can only make by myself. We’ll see.”

Guiton is fourth in the nation with 13 touchdown passes, but the fifth-year senior said he’s ready for anything.

“I’m a team player. I’ve been a team player for five years. I’m not going to change now,” he said. “I’ll stick in there and be a leader, just like always.”

Both players may have their supporters within the team, but senior tackle Jack Mewhort said it hasn’t become a divisive issue.

“As an offense, that’s something I don’t think we ever worried about,” he said. “You (media) guys have seen it — we can win games with Braxton and Kenny.

“I know you guys are trying to turn it into something (controversial), but we have two great quarterbacks, and we’re confident with either one.”

OSU had other good news on the injury front. Starting defensive end Adolphus Washington, who has missed two games with a groin injury, has been cleared to play.

“He’s back and we need him back,” Meyer said.

Lights on: The Buckeyes will be playing two prime-time games in Ohio Stadium in the same season for the first time. They also host Penn State at 8 p.m. on Oct. 26.

They’re 36-20 all-time in night games, including an 8-3 mark in the Horseshoe.

“Words can’t explain what it’s like to play in the ‘Shoe at night. Fans are crazy,” junior linebacker Curtis Grant said. “They give us energy or, as we call it, ‘the juice.’ That feeds through everybody and helps us play.”

Old look: The Buckeyes will wear the throwback uniforms they donned in the Michigan game last year. The jerseys are patterned after the 1968 team with numbers on the front, back and shoulders.

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