Last year at this time, Troy Smith was riding herd on an Ohio State offense that eventually claimed its second straight Big 10 title and a berth in the national championship game.

This season, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner is running drills with the Baltimore Ravens' third string, hoping to win a spot on the roster as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Steve McNair and backup Kyle Boller.

For a guy accustomed to dissecting Big 10 defenses, the move from college ball to the NFL makes for quite a change of scenery.

Smith said during Ravens training camp he sometimes finds himself thinking, "I was the Heisman Trophy winner last year, the best quarterback in the NCAA." Yet he realizes this is the NFL, and his success in college doesn't necessarily mean anything in Baltimore.

"I've got to work hard for everything," he said.

Before a national television audience Sunday night in Baltimore, Smith completed 4-of-8 passes for 60 yards in a 13-12 loss to the New York Giants. That he's locked in a training camp battle with former UCLA star Drew Olson for a spot on the third team is proof positive that those Buckeye leafs that adorned his helmet at Ohio State aren't going to buy him extra playing time in the NFL.

"I learn every week and every game," he said late Sunday night. "There's still a lot to be learned, a lot of things to be improved upon."

Smith seemingly reads his current situation as well as he did the blitz schemes employed by Michigan and Penn State. He knows, for instance, that McNair owns the starting QB slot, and that Boller, the Ravens' former starter prior to McNair's arrival last season, is an experienced backup.

Since the Ravens aren't going to carry four QBs on their roster, that means either Smith or Olson will be odd man out when the club opens its season Monday, Sept. 10 in Cincinnati.

Olson, to his credit, played down a camp competition that has two blue-chip college QBs vying for a job only one can win.

"We're real close," he said. "We're competing, but it's very friendly. We've known each other since high school. We followed each other's careers and all that. … We've always got each other's backs."

Following last Monday's 29-3 win over the Eagles, Ravens coach Brian Billick praised Olson's performance. Sunday night, he talked up Smith.

"You saw some of the things that Troy can do very well," he said. "There are a couple of things, obviously, that you've got to be better at with his athleticism. But he did a couple of good things."

Stats aside, Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain said he saw something in Smith's showing against the Eagles that didn't show up in the QB rating.

"He was pretty calm out there, pretty confident," he said. "He was picking us up in the huddle, calling the right plays and reading the right routes."

Smith's poise is something camp observers had seen more than once in the Big 10's Offensive Player of the Year in 2006.

"He's not overwhelmed by what's going on around him," said tight end Todd Heap. "Being a Heisman Trophy winner doesn't always bode well in the NFL. But he has a lot of poise. Obviously, he makes mistakes here and there, but that's to be expected (from a rookie)."

Overlooked in the NFL Draft until selected by Baltimore in the fifth round, Smith impressed the Raven brass with his combination of athleticism and attitude. Billick spoke on Draft Day of Smith's "presence." Ravens Director of College Scouting Eric DeCosta talked about Smith's "absolute cannon" of an arm.

Ravens veteran center Mike Flynn has shared the playing field with Smith, and has seen firsthand the attributes spoken of by the Baltimore braintrust.

"He has great mobility, he can make plays on the run," Flynn said. "And, he's picking up the offense. He played better this week than last."

Smith and Olson will likely continue their QB battle for two more weeks. Whatever happens after that, Smith said, he's prepared to deal with it.

"I don't feel pressure," he said. "Pressure comes from other people, not from me. One thing I've learned as a quarterback. When you think you're the best, you're not where you want to be."

Spoken by a guy who knows how to handle said pressure, be it a Wolverine blitz or trying to find his way in the NFL.

E-mail: egruver@lnpnews.com