National Signing Day 2012: Ohio State Buckeyes and Programs That Will Score Big

National Signing Day is only a week away, and several schools are hoping that some of the best recruits in the country pick them. A few schools will suffer on Feb. 1, but others are going to thrive big-time. 

The growing trend in college football, other than de-committing from schools, is to wait until National Signing Day to make your college choice. 

Most have their school picked out already, but they want to wait for the spotlight of National Signing Day. 

It makes for a fun day for the fans, but it sets coaches on edge. Missing out on one recruit could be the difference from a super season to a mediocre season. 

With that said, here are a few programs that are sure to win big on National Signing Day. 

Ohio State Buckeyes 

The hire of Urban Meyer has done wonders for the Buckeyes. He is so skilled at recruiting, stealing prospects from other schools and getting players to verbally commit right after visiting. 

Ohio State is still after some quality recruits, such as Davonte Neal and Stefon Diggs. Landing those two athletes would be huge for the Buckeyes. 

Those two won't announce until after signing day, but there are plenty other top-notch recruits Meyer is hoping to get on National Signing Day. 

Athletes Joel Caleb and Demetrious Cox, offensive tackle Jordan Diamond and defensive back Bam Bradley are solid recruits still on the Buckeyes' radar. 

Alabama Crimson Tide 

For the past four years, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have had a top-three recruiting class. That trend will continue this year, as Alabama's 2012 recruiting class gets even better than it already is. 

Alabama has nine verbally-committed recruits in the Rivals Top 100, and the Crimson Tide have also landed 12 recruits in ESPNU's Top 150, four of which are in the Top 25. 

In addition to that, the Crimson Tide could potentially land Dorial Green-Beckham, who is the No. 1 wide receiver, as well as Eddie Goldman, who is the No. 1 defensive tackle. The Crimson Tide are also hoping to flip Florida State commit Jameis Winston, who is the No. 1 QB according to ESPN. 

Expect Saban to land more talent, making it easier to rank the Crimson Tide as the No. 1 recruiting class for 2012. 

Auburn Tigers 

Gene Chizik knows he has to keep up with Saban and the Crimson Tide, so expect him to have another strong National Signing Day. 

Reeling in big-name recruiting on National Signing Day has become a staple for Chizik and the Tigers the past couple of seasons. Next week will be no different, as Chizik will continue to make last-second pitches to lure in the best recruits. 

The Tigers are hoping to land defensive end and Scout.com's No. 2 overall recruit, Arik Armstead, as well as talented athlete Stefon Diggs, defensive end Leonard Williams, linebacker Kwon Alexander and offensive tackle Avery Young. 

Chizik excels in the late push right before signing day, and it will happen all over again next week as the Tigers take a huge leap in the rankings.