Urban Meyer Ohio State Speculation: Former Florida Coach Would Help Big Ten

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Rumors are swirling about Urban Meyer's prospects of coaching in the Big Ten come the 2012 season. The two schools that have been highly talked about as possible destinations are Ohio State and Penn State, two of the most storied programs in college football.

There lies just one problem, though. These are two teams that are in a downward spiral due to NCAA scandals that have rocked their programs in recent weeks and months.

However, Ohio State is one of Meyer's dream jobs. He is an Ohio native, and no matter the sanctions, Ohio State is still Ohio State and Meyer would dominate the Big Ten recruiting scene.

Meyer has downplayed the idea of going to Ohio State, but it's an all too tempting offer for him to pass up.

Not only would Urban rejuvenate the Ohio State football program, but here are four reasons why he would help the Big Ten as a whole...

The Big Ten Would Have That Dominant Team

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Once the air clears over the Ohio State sanctions, Urban Meyer will simply dominate the Big Ten recruiting scene, and it will only help Ohio State return to prominence.

There is rich football talent in the state of Ohio, and with the turmoil at Ohio State, other programs around the Big Ten have taken advantage of this vulnerability and ripped down the fences that the Buckeyes once had cemented.

Of the top 10 recruits in Ohio for 2012, according to Rivals, just two are committed to Ohio State. Of the top 20 recruits, we see just five who have pledged to the Buckeyes. In years prior to the scandal, this would have been unheard of!

Despite the bad luck Ohio State has had in national title games over the past several years, having that one dominant team in the Big Ten would help the conference as a whole.

Hiring Meyer will once again make the Buckeyes that one team in the Big Ten that every other team is gunning for. This is what Buckeye fans enjoy and opposing fans enjoy, especially when Goliath is taken down.

Urban Meyer is a proven winner with the ability to sign elite high school prospects to help restore the Ohio State Buckeyes program.

Simply put, Meyer brings a big name to a big program.

The Publicity Meyer and Ohio State Would Bring

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The national media covered Florida a tremendous amount when Urban Meyer was coaching in Gainesville. When the Gators were winning, Florida's games became nationally-televised contests instead of regional broadcasts.

The same can happen at Ohio State, and it will increase exposure for the rest of the conference. Wherever the Buckeyes play, whoever the Buckeyes play, the likelihood of a national broadcast is heightened.

Brady Hoke, Bret Bielema, Bo Pelini and Mark Dantonio all have their programs on the rise, and battles between these teams and Ohio State will become games where all eyes are focused.

Meyer Will Help Restore Integrity for the Conference

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When college football fans think of the Big Ten football, the first teams that come to mind are Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan. Together, these three teams account for 20 national titles and are among the most storied programs that college football has to offer.

Unfortunately for the conference, Penn State and Ohio State have recently been rocked by NCAA scandals.

Most recently, Penn State had a former coach indicted on child sexual abuse charges that saw the firings and resignations of prominent figures, including Joe Paterno.

Just months earlier, Jim Tressel resigned at Ohio State following a long list of players who received improper benefits, most notably Terrelle Pryor.

Urban Meyer has not been tagged to any NCAA scandals in his decade-long stint as a head coach, and he would help restore the integrity to Ohio State and the rest of the conference.

It Would Bring the Big Ten a National Title

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Who was the last team to win a national championship as a member of the Big Ten? It was none other than Ohio State. As of January 2012, it will have been a decade since that last national title for the Big Ten when the Buckeyes upset the Miami Hurricanes.

Ohio State went to back-to-back national title games in 2006 and 2007 and fell short as they lost to two SEC teams, one that included Urban Meyer's Florida Gators.

As a head coach, Meyer has won two national championships, and leading a program like Ohio State would only increase his chances of winning another one.