OSU QB Miller the preseason pick for Big Ten offensive POY

Braxton Miller enjoyed his "eye opener" season in 2012.

At the beginning, people kind of knew who he was.

Last year, Braxton Miller was ahead of schedule. In a Big Ten 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.

This season's Big Ten writers poll is all about Miller.

In a preseason poll organized by The (Cleveland) 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.

The vote:

Big Ten Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

1. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State, 24

2. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska, 1

2. Devin Gardner, QB, Michigan, 1

My pick:

Offensive player of the year -- Ohio State QB Braxton Miller