I, like many, assumed Bauserman would get the starts/majority of the snaps at least early on. My belief on this was based on Tressel's strong loyalty to seniors. Combine this with the lack of experience/time in the program of Graham/Miller/Kenny G combined, Bauserman seemed to be the one with Tressel at the helm.
Does his 5 game (possibly more, pending NCAA) suspension hurt or help Bauserman's #1 chances in your opinion?
Tressel will still make all of those decisions.
October 20th: National Kenneth Guiton Day
Yeah, Tressel still has 100% control of the starting lineups during his suspension. That, and the fact that our strength on offense is no overwhelmingly, the running game. As much as I would love to see Braxton Miller tear it up during TPs absence. How do you play him with effectively NO experience at WR? You'd just be setting him up for failure. Kenny G has a shot, but it really has nothing to do with Tressel being suspended. I'm pretty sure he was challenging for the backup spot last year.
btw.. Braxton Miller NEEEEEDS to be redshirted
The amount of playing time Bauserman gets is probably more dependent upon the development of the offensive line and the running game. If he gets the Todd Boekman treatment from his linemen, they may put a more mobile QB back there. Bauserman has decent athleticism, but he's not going to bail out the O-line or keep linebackers guessing like Henton or Miller. If the pass blocking if fabulous (no chance?), then maybe we'll see some of Graham.
I hope they all get a chance to prove themselves, but I'd count on heavy, heavy doses of smash mouth.
Let's imagine we get through the first 5 games unscathed and go undefeated through the rest of the season, could Tressel actually win big ten coach of the year?
I suspect that Bauserman would have to elevate his play a couple of levels before he'd become the starter, especially now given the suspensions. If Guiton or Miller are at least close to Bauserman in understanding the offense, etc., their upside potential and future value would outweigh what Bauserman brings to the table. If Bauserman were even at the level of a Justin Zwick, the seniority thing would probably elevate him as the initial starter, but he's not to this point shown that he's even at that level.