Written by David Regimbal

---

The Split Personality Round Table is a weekly column where I let my split personalities argue about sports topics. It’s a healthy (read - court ordered) way to let the optimist in me argue with the pessimist (among others).

--

History’s longest offseason ended for Ohio State last Saturday afternoon with a 42-0 thrashing of the hapless Akron Zips. While there’s still plenty of turmoil swirling off the field, it’s incredibly refreshing to have some actual football to write about. And with that comes the main course for this week’s round table...

Debate Topic: Both Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller played well in the season opener against Akron. As the season moves forward, which quarterback should get the majority of the reps -- Bauserman or Braxton?

Swisher (The Pessimist)   As precious a moment it was for Joe Bauserman when he scored four touchdowns last Saturday, it felt like nothing to me except a kind gesture from the Akron defense to a man closer to retirement than a mid-life crisis. Sure, Bauserman made some decent throws and maybe showed off a little athleticism that no one had seen before, but I’m pretty sure I could’ve done the same thing going against that defense.

I honestly don’t have a problem with Bauserman as a football player... when he’s the backup quarterback. Braxton was just as impressive, maybe even more so than Bauserman during his playing time in the second half. Both completed a high percentage of passes without turning the ball over, but what I liked about Braxton’s time on the field was that I felt like I was watching a more dynamic play-maker. Not to mention the fact that Bauserman received the benefit of playing with the first team offensive line and receivers while Braxton came in with the two’s. When the Buckeyes start facing defenses with more to offer on their defensive lines like Nebraska or Michigan (just kidding -- never Michigan), the team will need Braxton’s athleticism to escape the pocket like he did on Saturday to make some plays.

Frankly, I’d rather watch Bauserman passionately make-out with my mother than see him on the field against Nebraska.

Figz (The Optimist)   What’s wrong with having a more traditional, drop-back passer commanding the offense? I feel like most Ohio State fans are obsessed with having a super athletic quarterback when in truth, you have just as much a chance to win with a guy like Greg Mcelroy at the helm.

In my eyes, the strength of Ohio State’s offense is with the five guys populating the running back position on the depth chart. Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde, Jaamal Berry and Rod Smith are stellar options at running back, and when the guy who rushed for over 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns last year returns to the field, why would we take anything away from this group?

Don’t get me wrong -- Braxton is going to be an absolute stud in the coming years for Ohio State, but he’s not the best option for the team right now. Putting him on the field with an incredibly young wide receiver core is a Jake Delhomme style breakdown waiting to happen. Even the great Terrelle Pryor wasn’t immune to the inevitable freshman mistake that cost his team a game.

Bauserman has proved during fall camp and in the season opener that he is capable of managing this offense efficiently while complimenting its playmakers. And Figz, if he wants to make out with your mother, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop him. He just looks like a man who would mow the lawn without complaint, and if that’s not what women really want, then I will never understand anything about them.

Franky (The Realist)   What’s wrong with waiting to see what happens? Both quarterbacks have their strengths and weaknesses, so it’s in every one's best interest for the coaching staff to figure out what each guy can offer. If one candidate rises over the other during the course of the season, then that’s great. But in my eyes, it looks like the team has a pretty good one-two punch at quarterback right now.

Bauserman has a seniority that Braxton obviously doesn’t have. The Buckeyes will have to rely on that in instances where seniority is imperative -- like when they hit the road to Lincoln, Nebraska or when the team is down in the fourth quarter of a turnover plagued game. Bauserman doesn’t have as much on-the-field experience as you’d like, but he’s been with the team in some tough environments (Penn State in ‘09 and Wisconsin last year).

Braxton offers the team more athleticism at the quarterback position, but he also carries the risk of the dreaded freshman mistakes Figz referenced earlier. It’s the classic risk/reward situation with Braxton, and until the coaches can minimize the risk and maximize the reward, Ohio State will have a two-headed monster at quarterback.

Follow @davidreg412