A day after calling his status "day-to-day" and saying it might be later in the week before more is known, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said on Tuesday he's "fairly optimistic" that quarterback Braxton Miller will play Saturday at Cal.
Miller played just seven plays of last week's rout of San Diego State before suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee. He watched most of the rest of the game from the sideline, and though Meyer said the coaching staff discussed putting him back in the game, Ohio State didn't need him.
The Buckeyes do need a healthy and mobile Miller going forward, and on the Big Ten's weekly conference call Tuesday Meyer said Miller would get a chance to prove in practice this week that he's ready to go. Meyer said he's seen "substantial" improvement in Miller's movement thus far.
"His arm is fine," Meyer said. "It's just, can he move and all that? I'll know more of that after today's practice."
Ohio State is comfortable with senior backup Kenny Guiton, who threw two touchdown passes, ran for another and kept the offense moving at a high level with Miller sidelined last week. Meyer said Guiton suffered a right (throwing) hand contusion in that game that caused some swelling but has since subsided. Guiton missed some time over the summer with a broken finger on his throwing hand.
No other quarterback on the roster has college game experience, so the health of the two veterans will be key going forward. For now, though, it sounds like the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year will be back in action Saturday as long as there are no setbacks in practice.
