Ohio State football: Cal depth chart

With the game just a few days away, head coach Urban Meyer has decided to leave the majority of the offensive lineup the same as the previous two weeks. After quarterback Braxton Miller suffered a mild MCL-sprain during the first drive of the San Diego State game, Kenny Guiton was called upon and performed as the best backup quarterback does, en route to a 42-7 win. Following some questions about Miller's availability for the California game, coach Meyer said on Monday that Braxton was day-to-day for Saturday. After the first 48 hours, the staff determined that Miller will remain atop the depth chart, with Guiton ready at any time to help lead the offense. Miller was listed as the stand-alone starter, and wasn't demoted down to an "OR" with Guiton. As per usual, depth charts are a grain of salt situation. Until we know definitively one way or the other, expect either quarterback.

At running back, Jordan Hall continues to lead the talented group of athletes. Carlos Hyde is serving the final game of his three-game suspension and will return next week, but there's no promise of getting his starting spot back. Rod Smith was left off of the depth chart last week, but this week Smith makes the cut and is listed as the backup to Hall. Warren Ball OR Bri'onte Dunn serve as the backup to Smith at the No. 3 spot, although we have yet to see any sign of Dunn getting any carries whatsoever. Ball was always listed second when it came to the "OR" but with Meyer not mentioning Dunn this week as a part of the stable of running backs, it might be time to start trying for some special teams snaps. Ball's carries aren't anything to get excited over either, as he usually steps in during garbage time, and might not see the field against the Golden Bears.

No surprise that the receiving depth chart remains the same, after the receivers have improved quite a bit since last season. Philly Brown OR Devin Smith lock down the "X" position, Chris Fields at the H, and Evan Spencer sticks at Z. Jeff Heuerman will continue to start at tight end with Nick Vannett backing him up. Both are solid players at their respective positions. J.T. Moore is no longer listed on the tight end depth chart, which can't come as a surprise as we haven't seen much action of him on the field this season.

Nothing has changed since last week on the offensive line, when Pat Elfein moved to the backup spot at left guard behind Andrew Norwell because of Chase Farris' move to defensive line. On defense, Roby takes over as the lone starter at the corner position, getting rid of the "OR" situation with Armani Reeves. Conley stays at second on the depth chart behind Doran Grant, with Reeves being listed as the lone backup for Roby. C.J. Barnett is no longer listed as OR with Corey "Pittsburgh" Brown, and will be the lone starter at strong safety. Christian Bryant remains the starter at free safety with Ron Tanner as the only backup listed.

Rashad Frazier is no longer the OR backup at DE with Bosa (Frazier has had some injuries; Bosa has also been particularly strong). Bosa will serve as the backup to Adolphus Washington who was also dealing with a lower body injury during the San Diego State game, but is listed as the starter. Craig Fada not listed at third string Will this week, with Shazier as the starter and Trey Johnson the principal backup.

Here are the depth charts for this week: