Ohio State Football: 6 Reasons Why OSU Could Win a National Championship by 2014

Due to the format of the BCS, in order to win a national championship, everything has to go right for one team. A single loss could completely take you out of contention, and two losses is almost a death sentence. Starting the season at least near the top 10 is almost required, and sometimes, just winning isn't even good enough. 

Despite all these hurdles, to say Ohio State has a chance to win a national title in the next three years is sensible and can be backed up with several reasons.

6. The Buckeyes' Schedule

As I stated in the introduction, two losses most likely takes you out of national championship contention. This being said, it doesn't hurt the Buckeyes that their schedule over the next three years lacks a big time out-of-conference opponent, with the exception of Virginia Tech. By no means are OSU's future schedules cakewalks, but if they play to their potential, they shouldn't have to worry about dropping a game early in the year.

The schedule through the next three years is certainly not a breeze, but it could be a lot worse.

Avoiding early-season losses is a major ingredient in winning a national championship, and the Buckeyes should be able to accomplish this in the near future.

5. Meyer's Offensive Scheme

Urban Meyer's offensive scheme is simple: Get the ball to his most talented players and do it a lot. Meyer has always done an excellent job of distributing the football to his best weapons, whoever they be. His offense focuses on putting his players in positions to succeed, whether that be in space, in the trenches or deep down the field.

In the past, many fans felt like the Buckeyes' best athletes were being wasted away in a boring and predictable offense. The old type of offense hurt the Buckeyes in their two national championship losses because it was so easy to prepare for and wasn't effective at all when behind. All this changes with Meyer, who is a complete wizard at utilizing his top talent and doing it in countless ways.

This type of philosophy has been extremely successful for Meyer in the past, and it will continue in Columbus.

4. Recruiting

Recruiting is everything in college football. You could even argue that recruiting at a high level is the main component of winning a national title, and few coaches recruit on the same level as Urban Meyer. We haven't witnessed Meyer recruit at Ohio State for a full season, but what he managed to do with the 2012 class in just two months was nothing short of amazing.

Meyer took a mediocre class and transformed it into the fourth-best recruiting class in the nation, according to Rivals. The new head coach in Columbus landed top recruits like Noah Spence and Armani Reeves, among others, to the 2012 class, and has already landed one 5-star and three 4-stars to the 2013 class.

With Meyer in the driver's seat, some of the nation's top talent will be on display at Ohio State and could seriously contend for a national championship.

3. The Buckeyes Defensive Line

Everything in football starts in the trenches. Coaches all over the country will tell you that depth at the defensive line is basically required in order to raise the crystal ball. In a pass-happy world, getting after the quarterback is essential, and speed and depth across the defensive line is crucial. In fact, many credit the SEC's talented and deep defensive lines for the main reason for their six straight national championships.

Two of those national championships for the SEC were won by Urban Meyer, and he understands the importance of a dominating defensive line.

In the 2012 class, the Buckeyes landed five top defensive linemen prospects, including two 5-star defensive ends. Before this, the Buckeyes already had very solid depth at the defensive line and will only add to it each year.

Clearly, Meyer is forming a vaunted defensive line that very well could bring a national title to Columbus.

2. Braxton Miller

As a freshman, Braxton Miller exceeded the lofty expectations Buckeye Nation had for him. Miller had his fair share of mistakes, but for the most part, was an instant success.

In his first year in Columbus, Miller threw for 1,159 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions. The product out of Huber Heights, Ohio was most effective as a runner in his first year, where he rushed for 715 yards and seven touchdowns.

All these stats are great for a freshman, and Miller is certainly talented, but the most impressive quality of his game is his intangibles.

The guy is a flat-out winner.

On the biggest of stages, the young quarterback never flinched. His most impressive games were some of Ohio State's biggest, and the moment never seemed to big for Miller. Whether it was his game-winning play against Wisconsin or his determination and solid play against Ohio State's biggest rival, Miller always stepped up to the plate.

His clutch ability and intangibles, along with his talent, are almost a perfect combination for a national champion quarterback.

The Buckeyes could have him for up to three years, and don't put it past Miller to deliver a national title to Columbus.

1. Urban Meyer

Like Braxton Miller, Urban Meyer is a flat-out winner. As a head coach, Meyer is 103-24 with multiple SEC championships and two national championships. Even while at Utah, Meyer managed to win a BCS bowl, and in his first head coaching job at Bowling Green, he was able to completely turn around a dismal program.

Everywhere he's gone, he's won, and there is no doubt that the Ohio native knows how to get it done in the national championship. 

He's the complete package as a head coach. He can recruit, he can develop and he can win, and Buckeye Nation hopes he can bring the crystal ball back to his home state.

Considering his track record, I wouldn't put it past him.