As always, stats are grabbed from cfbstats.com.

Raise your hand if, after the first series of the Braxton Miller era, you had doubts.

Even little ones, back there in the dark recesses of your Buckeye consumed mind. I did.

Then, a shanked punt, a nice little eight-yard run for Jordan Hall and Braxton was off an running. Two running plays for 16 yards by Miller and just like that, the Braxton Miller era at Ohio State was officially underway.

He didn’t look back after that.

While the stat line isn’t “impressive” (5-13, 83 yds, 2 TDs; 17 rushes, 83 yds), the product on the field was. For one game at least, he lived up to the hype he came to Ohio State with. He was faster than I remember and while the moves and jukes might not make you forget about Terrelle Pryor, it was certainly a sufficient substitute.

And not to get ahead of myself, but on those sprint roll-out passes (especially the 32 yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith), I dare say he looked Troy Smith-esque. Laying off the hyperbole, let’s just agree to say the Miller looks promising and should have a long illustrious career at Ohio State. That should involve multiple Heisman Trophies.

(Oops, there’s that hyperbole again)

The defense played as well as could be expected. They held Colorado’s offense well under their average offensive output and shut down their playmakers, especially Paul Richardson. A few performances stood out: I thought the insertion of Christian Bryant at Safety paid immediate dividends. He was involved in numerous plays and seemed to be around every big stop.

Tyler Moeller aslo had his best game, contributing to the aforementioned shut-down of Paul Richardson.

Ryan Shazier hasn’t worked his way into the starting rotation yet, but I’d be really surprised if he isn’t there by the end of the season. He’s making his presence known on special teams and he’s making the most of his playing time.

The Buckeye Battlestation is almost fully operational. One more game before the suspended players are able to join their teammates on the field. While their impact on the game may not be immediate, their senior leadership will be. And as the season goes on, the debacle against Miami game gets smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

We haven’t had one of these in a long while. We’ll still have the Live Game Chat for the Colorado game, but that isn’t for a few hours. There’s a full slate of games all day, so why not chat while the day goes by?

I’ll be in and out during the noon block of games but we’ll be around for Colorado and thereafter.

To get the conversation starter, here’s a picture of Mark May sportsMonkey shared on Google+ earlier:

Colorado comes to town. If Fickell has any chance of retaining the title “Head Football Coach” he better have the team loaded for bear. Or Buffaloes. Either way, come Saturday evening, if there isn’t a smoldering pile of Ralphie at the fifty yard line, there will be a reckoning.

So let’s do this preview thing (format heavily borrowed from Brian at Em Grab Blag)

Run Offense vs. Colorado

This has the potential to be the classic strength vs. weakness match-up. How good or how bad is Colorado’s run defense? On one hand, Hawai’i had success moving the ball on the ground (particularly their QB, Bryant Moniz). Moniz ran all over them including a 57 yard gash where he simply outran everyone on the field for a TD. On the other, they held Cal to a hundred yards on the ground, almost 80 under their season average. It’s hard to gauge how good (or how bad) Colorado’s run defense will be.

Colorado, having seen the success other teams have had, will probably load up to stop the run, particularly in between the tackles. After last week’s passing embarrassment, establishing the run will be priority numero uno. A rejuvenated Jordan Hall will be called upon early and often. He ran well when given the chance and the line got movement against and not terribly bad Miami offensive line. Even against eight and nine man fronts, Hall found lanes and ran hard.

Carlos Hyde is listed as a starter alongside Hall and both will see lots of opportunities.

Key Matchup – Jaamal Berry vs. the depth chart. Come on, dad, let me play!

Pass Offense vs. Colorado

HAHAHAHAHAH. HHHAHAHHAHA!

OH BOY STOP!

SERIOUSLY STOP, MY SIDES ARE HURTING. Quit joking. Passing game! You’re so funny.

Oh, we’re being serious? Okay then.

Braxton Miller was announced as the starter and will get his first chance to get into any kind of a rhythm. He had a good showing against Akron but has been hurt limited since then. This will be his first chance to really show anything.

I’m not sure Colorado is the best game for Braxton’s first start. They do a lot of blitzing on defense and will certainly bring the heat against the new guy. Of course he always has the feet, a la early-era Troy Smith (let’s not compare Braxton to Terrelle. Pryor was a freak of nature with athletic ability that I don’t think Braxton parallels. He’s going to be a better passer and therefore better QB than Terrelle but he’ll never have the escapability or speed of Pryor). He also needs to protect that ball like new born.

If we go conservative and simple in the passing game, similar to what Tressel did with Pryor in 2008, Miller should be able to gain confidence and fall into a rhythm. Then start layering the complexities in there. Give this time. A 12 for 18 for 175 yards will do just fine. Just keep Bauserman off the field.

Key Matchup – Tight ends vs. wide receivers (same team) in a race to see who will catch the first pass in almost two weeks.

Run Defense vs. Colorado

Colorado’s main back, Rodney Stewart, (an Ohio boy) is not a top tier “threat” but has the size (5’6″, 175) and speed that always gives the Buckeyes fits. Small, shifty and quick. In fact, none of the listed Colorado running backs tip the scale over 195 or 5’9″.

Simon and company did a commendable job as a whole on defense against Miami but also were gashed early putting them in uncomfortable spots. The Colorado line is young, anchored by a freshman at center and not imposingly large. The trenches battle should tilt in the Buckeyes favor and free up Storm Klein, Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat to rehabilitate their image as premier line backers.

Key Matchup – John Simon vs. Colorado’s medical staff.

Pass Defense vs. Colorado

While Colorado was being not that bad against Cal (rolling up over 580 yards) quarterback Tyler Hansen and receiver Paul Richardson went to town, connecting for 284 yards on eleven catches, including two for TDs. Hansen went 28 for 49 and 474 yards. Against Cal, that’s not terrible.

With Richardson at 6’1″ and Toney Clemons at 6’2″ on the other side, the defensive backs will have their hands full. We’ll assume that Travis Howard will check Richardson, which could be the match up of the day.

Rodney Stewart is also a major part of the passing game, tied with Richardson for the lead in receptions. If tiny fast running backs catching the ball out of the backfield doesn’t give you nightmares, you’re not a fan of the 2011 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Colorado is going to pass early and often, both due to their ineffectiveness to get a ground game going and (hopefully) because they’ll be playing from behind.

Key Matchup – Howard vs. Richardson

Special Teams

Basil got off the shnide, kicking two FGs for the only points last week against Miami. Before that, his previous attempts at kicking the ball through the uprights had been OH THE HUMANITY. Now, he appears to not be completely terrible. And please, announcers, get the pronounciation right. It’s “Bahzil” as in “Bauserman.” Think Jamie Oliver. Bahzil.

Intangibles

The last time Colorado won a game on the road (Oct. 27, 2007), Braxton Miller was in the ninth grade. (Bauserman was still old).

Jim Tressel always had his teams ready after a tough loss. Let’s see if Fickell will, too.

This is the first game in The ‘Shoe since classes started, so it should be ruckus.

How others see it

Marcus Hartman at Cus Words: Scouting Colorado. Scarlet Game: Week 4 Colorado Buffaloes Preview. The Buckeye Battle Cry’s Keys to Victory: Colorado. Inside The Shoe: Enemy Blogger Interview: Colorado.

What to think

Doom is nigh if…

• Colorado scores first.
• And second.
• And third…

Rapture is around the corner if…

• Jordan Hall runs like he did in the 2nd quarter against Miami in the first against Colorado.
• Miller opens with three straight passes to Stoneburner that don’t end up in B-deck.
• Bauserman is taking snaps… at the end of the third quarter.

Predictions? Predictions:

Ohio State 31
Colorado 10

(Photos via Daylife)

I meant to get this out earlier, but here are is statistical comparison of the two teams doing battle in The Horseshoe this Saturday.

As always, presented without comment.

As always, stats are grabbed from cfbstats.com.

Yes, I know it’s a small sample size (as small as they get, even) but I’ve been chomping at the bit to get one of these out.

As always, presented without comment.

As always, stats are grabbed from cfbstats.com.