2013 College Football Preseason Rankings: #2 Ohio State Buckeyes BCS Odds and Predictions

2013 College Football Preseason Rankings: #2 Ohio State Buckeyes BCS Odds and Predictions: If not for NCAA probation, Urban Meyer’s first year as coach at Ohio State might have ended with a national championship. Instead, the Buckeyes settled for a 12-0 regular season that included a thrilling win over Wisconsin and a win over rival Michigan. There were some bumps in the road as the offense struggled at times to understand all the nuisances of Meyer’s spread attack, but the former Florida coach lived up to his reputation as a master motivator as he kept the Buckeyes focused despite the team knowing that there was no title shot in their future. Meyer won’t have that problem this season as OSU is eligible for postseason play again in 2013. On the flip side, he will have to make sure his team can stay focused amid the sky-high expectations that come with being a frontrunner for the national title.

The Good News:

The Buckeyes return the several crucial players on both sides of the ball. On offense, dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller is a Heisman frontrunner, and his play-making ability is second to none. Miller will be joined by punishing running back Carlos Hyde and explosive receiver Devin Smith, and all the skill position players will benefit from a veteran offensive line that returns four starters. On the defensive side of the ball, outside linebacker Ryan Shazier and cornerback Bradley Roby are both among the best in the country at their positions. The unit will also be bolstered by several highly-ranked prospects that Meyer has brought to Columbus. Throw in another year for Miller and company to perfect Meyer’s offense, and the pieces are in place for a special season.

The Bad News:

Hyde is going to miss some time at the start of the year as he serves a suspension for his alleged role in an altercation during the offseason. Meanwhile, the defense does lose seven starters from last year’s unit, including defensive tackle John Simon. In addition, the Buckeyes will now have to play each and every game knowing that they are expected to win and expected to compete for a national title. For a team that had nothing to lose last year because of the probation, the dramatic change will test the nerves and mental toughness of every player.

Outlook:

Thanks to Meyer’s system and recruiting and Miller’s play-making ability, the Buckeyes’ offense promises to be potent. More importantly, Meyer has injected SEC-type speed into an Ohio State defense that already has some strong cornerstones. The bottom line is that the talent gap between the Buckeyes and every other team in the Big Ten is sizeable, and the normally pesky Wisconsin Badgers have to come to Columbus. Meanwhile, the out-of-conference schedule doesn’t have any obstacles. Aside from a trip to Ann Arbor to end the year, it’s tough to find a possible stumbling point for Ohio State. Most years, an Ohio State team of this caliber would almost certainly have a letdown game, but with Meyer providing the motivation and keeping the Buckeyes focused, another perfect regular season is achievable. Probation kept OSU out of the Big Ten title game last year and maybe the BCS title game, but nothing is standing in the Buckeyes’ way in 2013.

Prediction: 12-0, Big Ten Leaders Division Champions

Preseason Vegas Odds for Ohio State’s 2013 College Football Team:
Ohio State’s 2013 Odds to Win BCS Championship: +800
Ohio State’s 2013 Odds to Win Big Ten Leaders Division: -800
Ohio State’s 2013 Odds to Win Big Ten Championship: +125

NSAwins.com is America’s premier sports betting website for 2013 College Football Expert Picks and College Football Betting Odds and Lines.