With two games remaining in Ohio State football’s 2012 campaign, sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller is considered one of the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy, college football’s highest individual honor. Miller joined the media on a Monday evening teleconference to talk about his Heisman chances and the improvements he’s made this season.

Miller on personal improvement

With a trip to Wisconsin on Nov. 17 and the home finale against Michigan remaining on OSU’s schedule, Miller’s sophomore season is statistically better than his freshman campaign.
With 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns, Miller is just the third Big Ten quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.
Miller said, however, that his greatest improvement can’t be found in a box score.
“(I think it’s my) leadership,” Miller said. “Coming from last year, I didn’t really know how to take that role. But this year I’m building on it and getting better at it each and every week.”

Troy Smith on Miller

During a sideline interview with an ESPN reporter during last weekend’s Illinois game, former OSU quarterback Troy Smith, who won the Heisman in 2006, said that Miller had potential to be the best quarterback in program history.
On Monday, Miller said he was flattered by Smith’s praise.
“Before I came here, I was watching (Smith) play all the time,” Miller said. “He was an all-around quarterback, he was a complete quarterback. Coming from him, it means a lot.”
Miller has accounted for a combined 27 touchdowns this season, four shy of the school record shared by Smith. He is also on pace to set a new OSU record for total offense per game.
The sophomore quarterback modestly said that he tries to avoid paying attention to his numbers and individual accolades.
“I really don’t pay attention to that,” Miller said. “I try not to talk about it, I don’t really like talking about myself.”
Kickoff for OSU’s Nov. 17 game against Wisconsin is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.