By Eric Geier

    O.K, so I was sitting at home reflecting on the Spring game, the NFL draft and all the other happenings in Columbus when I started to think about the quarterback situation at Ohio State. The 22-year old redshirt freshman Joe Bauserman stole headlines with his eye-opening performance in the spring game last Saturday. Todd Boeckman looked less than stellar and the quarterback prodigy Terrelle Pryor watched from the sidelines, observing the team he hopes to lead in the near future. With Bauserman impressing the crowd and Pryor waiting in the wings, can Todd Boeckman hold on to the job and lead the Buckeyes to another impressive season?

    Bauserman made front page news in the Columbus Dispatch with a headline that read, “Deer hunter has game,” a reference to Bauserman’s love for hunting and outdoor activities. Obviously, he created a buzz around the Shoe on Saturday, going 7 of 14 for 125 yards and a Sportscenter worthy 51-yard touchdown strike to Taurian Washington. A second 63-yard bomb that was thrown off-balance was called back after a holding penalty. Overall, Bauserman had a very impressive day, a day that could very well move him into the number two spot, ahead of Antonio Henton.

    Todd Boeckman, on the other hand, had a mediocre day in the soggy conditions in Ohio Stadium. Boeckman went 12 of 18 for 145 but had two interceptions and no touchdowns. For those viewers who expected to see Boeckman dice up the defense and take a seat on the bench after throwing a couple touchdowns will have to show up at the next Buckeyes practice to see him get six. It is absolutely vital for Todd Boeckman to make his presence felt early in this season if he wants to keep his job, his big test will be the game against USC. USC’s secondary is stacked with veterans who didn’t give up too many big plays last year, including two All-Pac Ten players. If Boeckman’s performance is anything less than perfect or if he makes some crucial mistakes, it may be time to look elsewhere for a quarterback. Tressel should have the opportunity to warm up Bauserman and/or Pryor in their first two games against Youngstown State and Ohio University. Boeckman hasn’t been able to win the big game, hometown hero Troy Smith couldn’t win the big game, so who can? Has Boeckman improved enough to finally guide the Buckeyes through the fog to the National Championship? Two things Boeckman wanted to work on this off-season were not turning the ball over and his mobility, two things he didn’t do very well on Saturday.

    Then there is Terrelle Pryor lingering on the sidelines during the Spring Game. No one is quite sure where Pryor will fit into the picture, but it is probable that there will be some offensive packages specifically designed to utilize Pryor’s talents. It is uncertain whether or not Pryor has the skills to lead the Buckeyes potent offense this season, but he could work like Tim Tebow did, coming in for specific plays to confuse the opposing defense.

    I think it’s too early to set Boeckman in stone as the quarterback for Ohio State. Tressel needs to keep his options open and work his second and third string quarterbacks early this season. It’s not that I’m a Boeckman hater or want to see him fail; I just want to see the Buckeyes put the best possible players out on the field. Boeckman will be tested this season and hopefully his experience from last year will be enough to guide the Buckeyes through the Big Ten to another Big Ten championship.