Braxton-Miller-2012

Ohio State quarterback Braxton MIller is the choice as the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year.

(Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Last year, Braxton Miller was ahead of schedule. In a media poll before the 2012 season, the Ohio State quarterback received just one vote out of 24 for the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year.

By the end of the year, he was named the Big Ten's best offensive player, finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting and led Ohio State to an undefeated record.

Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner picked up one preseason offensive player of the year vote, just one of three players to be listed on a ballot.

Miller got a lot more votes this year.

In a preseason poll organized by The Plain Dealer of 26 Big Ten writers spread across the conference, Miller earned 24 of 26 votes as the Big Ten's best offensive player. Two other quarterbacks on conference contenders each earned one vote – Nebraska's Taylor Martinez and Devin Gardner of Michigan.

A year ago, a running back was the big name in the Big Ten, with Wisconsin's Montee Ball named the league's preseason offensive player on 14 ballots. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was second with nine votes and Miller picked up the last one.

Miller averaged 276 yards per game last season in total offense, second in the Big Ten behind Martinez, who averaged 278 yards. Miller threw for 2,039 yards and ran for 1,271, which ranked fourth in the conference behind Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell, Ball and Robinson. All three of them are gone, so Miller is the top returning rusher in the league.

And he's got a solid shot to pick up another conference player of the year award in a few months.

Big Ten Preseason Offensive Player of the Yea

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1. Braxton Miller,

QB, Ohio State, 24



2. Taylor Martinez,

QB, Nebraska, 1



2. Devin Gardner,

QB, Michigan, 1