ITKTwo weeks before the season begins, Ohio State’s season is over. Or at least that what it seems.

News broke yesterday that the Buckeye’s quarterback was done for the year after sustaining a right shoulder injury during Monday’s practice.

Photo courtesy of the Sun Times
Miller sustained the injury during a non-contact portion of the practice, and was reportedly taken off the field under medical supervision.

Now the duties apparently will fall to redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett when the Buckeyes open the season on Aug. 30 against Navy in Baltimore. Four out of five of the Buckeyes’ first games are cream puffs before they travel to Penn State on October 25th.

But this injury almost assuredly derails the Ohio State return to prominence this season, as Miller was a favorite for the Heisman and was thought to be one of the most impactful players for the upcoming college football season.

Injuries are part of the game. Mississippi State lost an offensive lineman for the season yesterday in veteran Damien Robinson. Auburn lost arguably their 1st or 2nd best offensive lineman in Alex Kozan and best pass rusher in Carl Lawson, not to mention losing Robinson Therezie due to eligibility issues. Injuries have plagued the Tiger defense all summer.

It’s rare and unfortunate when something like a season ending injury to a high impact player happens to a team. When Tyrone Prothro went down in 2005, Bama’s thin offense was never the same.

So my question to you is, for Alabama or Auburn, what player would it take going down to derail the Tide or Tigers hopes in 2014?


(Follow ITK on Twitter for Bama news, commentary and smack.)

7 thoughts on “Braxton Miller, done at Ohio State”

  1. Depth with impact players, particularly on offense, was always an issue at Bama under the Shula regime. The injury to Prothro devastated the offense, mainly because he was the only real receiver threat on that team. Compare that to Saban’s teams from about 2008 on: if an impact player went down, there was another, just as impactful player to take his spot. I think last year’s offensive line was the same way – one or two dominant players that just couldn’t stay very healthy, and some really young, really un-tried backups. At the running back and receiver positions – heck, maybe even at quarterback – you lose the first guy to an injury or suspension, there’s a guy with just as much ability and almost as much game experience right behind him. Bama is much stronger along the OF this year, maybe not as experienced along the DL, but certainly the talent is there 2-3 spots into the depth. We are weak in the secondary, so I think the one player we can’t lose would be Landon Collins. He would be a game changer on defense.

    1. Exactly, it’s Landon Collins for Alabama. He’s a vocal leader and has experience in a sector where Alabama needs it most (insert Sunseri already good Saints stats here).

      For Auburn, I’d say anyone on the offensive line. Timing is critical in the HUNHNS offense, and timing that tricky takes experience probably? They’re also more important than to most teams because they can hold more and the run has to be ready all the time and quickly to catch defenses and officials as off guard as possible. Until a 9th official is introduced to compensate for the sacrifice in clock control and down preparation, the line is their most important link and, consequently, other positions are less significant regardless of talent.

  2. I think if The Barn loses Nick Marshall they are as done as Ohio State and Braxton Miller…I think BAMA can lose anyone and still compete…

    1. I doubt that. Actually if Marshall stumbles even a little bit Johnson will take his job away.

  3. Definitely, it’s Landon Collins for Alabama. He’s a vocal leader and has experience in a sector where Alabama needs it most (insert Sunseri already good Saints stats here).

    For Auburn, I’d say anyone on the offensive line. Timing is critical in the HUNHNS offense, and timing that tricky takes experience probably? They’re also more important than to most teams because they can hold more and the run has to be ready all the time and quickly to catch defenses and officials as off guard as possible. Until a 9th official is introduced to compensate for the sacrifice in clock control and down preparation, the line is their most important link and, consequently, other positions are less significant regardless of talent.

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