The 2014-15 college football season hasn’t even started but there could already be a tremendous shift in the balance of power among the college football elite. According to The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio St. Buckeyes’ senior quarterback and Heisman hopeful Braxton Miller reinjured his right (throwing) shoulder in a non-contact drill in practice Monday and could miss the entire 2014 season.
Buckeyes’ head coach Urban Meyer would neither confirm or deny the news but sources close to the situation confirmed that Miller, who had off-season shoulder surgery, reinjured the same shoulder while throwing a routine pass.
Sources also indicated that Miller’s return to the field will not be quick. There is a possibility that he may need another surgical procedure but that won’t be decided for at least a couple of games.
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If Miller is forced to miss time due to the injury, the Buckeyes are expected to turn to redshirt freshman J. T. Barrett. The Buckeyes, who are ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press poll, open their 2014 season against Navy on Aug. 30 in Baltimore.
Barrett was moved up to the backup role just last week as he took the spot from sophomore Cardale Jones according to Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman.
Being injured is nothing new for Miller. Last season, Miller missed almost three full games after suffering a knee sprain. But his backup, senior Kenny Guiton, was more than capable. But unfortunately for the Buckeyes, Guiton has graduated and is now playing in the Arena Football League.
Miller initially injured his right shoulder in last year’s Orange Bowl on Jan. 3 against Clemson. He underwent minor shoulder surgery in February and will have an MRI on the same shoulder on Tuesday.
To make things more difficult, the Buckeyes lost four of their five offensive starting lineman, leading receiver Corey Brown and 1500-yard rusher Carlos Hyde from last year’s team that finished 12-2.
The Buckeyes, who many expected to participate in this year’s inaugural four-team playoff, will most likely face a significant dropoff in offensive production if Braxton Miller is not able to play this season — and that could open the door once again for Michigan St. to win the Big Ten title.