Braxton Miller throws vs. Northwestern

Braxton Miller accounted for 271 yards against Northwestern, but committed three turnovers.

(Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Braxton Miller has had nearly two weeks to stew in the aftermath of a three-turnover effort against Northwestern. Urban Meyer revealed he nearly replaced the quarterback with backup Kenny Guiton.

After a week off, the Buckeyes return to action against Iowa on Saturday and Miller appears poised to stow his struggles against the Wildcats in the past.

"I see a guy that recognizes the mistakes he made and that he's going to work hard to correct them," Meyer said Tuesday on the weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference. "Ball security, that was our No. 1 issue. … If he takes care of the ball and maybe hits a couple more passes, I thought he played great."

Backed by the powerful running of Carlos Hyde, Miller directed Ohio State to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives, both of which vaulted the Buckeyes into the lead in a contest Meyer's squad eventually claimed, 40-30.

"That fourth quarter was a powerful statement for what kind of quarterback he can be," Meyer said.

Meyer, ever the admirer of Guiton, has explained the complexity of the quarterback situation ever since he admitted to considering an in-game swap. Meyer said he would prefer to reward Guiton with playing time, but he has yet to determine the most applicable way to manage his signal-callers in that circumstance.

"Quarterback is a very complicated position, especially how and when do you pull them out and when do you put them back in, those type of things," Meyer said. "So [Guiton] is on call, ready to go."

Other news and notes from Meyer's teleconference:

* Running back Jordan Hall practiced on Monday and is expected to play against the Hawkeyes. The fifth-year senior missed the Northwestern game because of a knee injury.

"His first way of [involvement] will be on special teams and then he can certainly complement Carlos [Hyde] and then be involved on third downs," Meyer said.

* Meyer said defensive lineman Adolphus Washington is battling a tweaked ankle, but will be close to 100 percent once Saturday's affair rolls around. Tommy Schutt, who has yet to play this season because of a foot injury, "had a great day" on Monday and is expected to see his first game action on Saturday.

* Meyer listed pass defense as the No. 1 concern as the Buckeyes embarked on their off-week. Ohio State has allowed 240 yards per game through the air. Meyer said the secondary has worked on getting more physical with receivers in an effort to disrupt their routes and timing.

"Receivers don't like hands on them," Meyer said. "We need to get our hands on guys and disrupt them and that obviously helps the pass defense."