Ohio State's Urban Meyer is facing a quarterback dilemma that can be one of the best and worst problems for a head coach.
So far, I think he's handling it the right way, and I expect he will continue to do a fine job of navigating the situation.
Reigning Big Ten player of the year Braxton Miller, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting last season, has been cleared to return for Saturday's game against Wisconsin after missing all but one drive in the past three games because of a knee injury. His backup, Kenny Guiton, has been a revelation, throwing for a school-record 12 touchdowns over the past three weeks.
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Meyer said Monday that Miller is "around 90 percent right now" and will return as the team's starter in the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin if all goes well in practice this week, but Meyer has already said he wants to continue giving Guiton some snaps at quarterback even when Miller returns.
To me, Miller, when healthy, is the clear-cut No.1 option for Ohio State even though Guiton is a more consistent thrower. Miller is by far the better runner of the two, and he's a very capable passer who should continue to improve in that area. Guiton has earned a chance for more opportunities, though.
It's a precarious situation for Ohio State, but I think the two-quarterback system has a good chance of working for the Buckeyes.
It's workable because of Meyer's experience. He's no stranger to using two quarterbacks -- remember, he was the coach at Florida when the Gators had Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. It also has a chance to succeed because of the personalities of the two players involved.
Meyer likes the perseverance and grit Guiton has shown, and Guiton has the respect of his teammates, who voted him a team captain before the season. Miller is one of the most humble kids around and is also a team captain.
This is not a case of two alpha dogs barking at each other, where whoever does not start will be pouting. I think they're very supportive of each other.
Also, the basic offensive structure doesn't have to change from quarterback to quarterback. On some teams, when the backup comes in the offense must change what it does because he can't do what the starter does. Guiton can do everything Miller can do, except he's not as explosive running the ball.
Against the Badgers, Miller may have some rust after sitting since early in a Sept. 7 win over San Diego State. Meyer is going to have to let him play through a few things, otherwise Miller will never get through them. The score should dictate how long Meyer lets Miller play -- as long as the score stays close, he has a longer leash. If he falls behind by a few scores and it's not going so well, I think the leash is a lot shorter.
The toughest question facing Meyer isn't which quarterback to start. It's figuring out the right time to give Guiton a shot. An obvious opportunity for a switch may never present itself. For Meyer, it will come down to a feel for his players and the situation. This is where you figure out how well a coach knows his players, and frankly, I don't think Meyer is going to have a problem knowing when is the right time or the wrong time.
Meyer is very much in-tune with the team he coaches. As impressive as Guiton has been over the past three games, we have to remember he was lining up across from the likes of San Diego State, California and Florida A&M. These are far from powerhouse defenses. Miller was the undisputed starter heading into the season for a reason. The key for him is just his health.
Will Miller be able to go full speed when he wants to take off and run vs. Wisconsin? That may determine how the Ohio State quarterback situation sorts itself out more than anything.
Follow Charles Davis on Twitter @CFD22.
