Ohio State Football: Predicting the Outcome of Every Game in the 2012 Season

Ohio State begins the Urban Meyer era with a newfound sense of optimism following the ugly end of the Jim Tressel era. With a two-time national champion taking the reins, it isn't hard to fathom the Buckeyes starting with great success next season even considering the transition to a new staff and system, coupled with a bowl ban.

Here are game-by-game predictions for each contest next season.

Game 1: Miami (OH) Redhawks

When: September 1, 2012

Where: Columbus, Ohio

Storyline: Ohio State is, and always will be the juggernaut football team in Ohio. Though teams have come close in the past, the last Ohio team to beat Ohio State in football was Oberlin College way back in 1921.

Last season the Redhawks went 4-8 despite having one of the most accurate QBs (Zac Dysert) in the MAC conference. Now a senior, Dysert will look to lead his team to a winning season in 2012. However, he and the Redhawks should pose no threat to Ohio State in The Shoe.

The verdict: Ohio State 31, Miami 10

Ohio State's record after this game: 1-0

Game 2: UCF Knights

When: September 8, 2012

Where: Columbus, Ohio

Storyline: The Knights went 5-7 in their 2011 campaign, led by a very impressive sophomore QB in Jeff Godfrey who can beat you with his arm or his feet. But even if Godfrey plays lights out, it won't be enough to knock off the Buckeyes at home. After all, UCF will have to replace several starters from a team that lost five games in Conference USA last season.

The verdict: Ohio State 38, UCF 7

Ohio State's record after this game: 2-0 

Game 3: California Golden Bears

When: September 15, 2012

Where: Columbus, Ohio

Storyline: California will be Ohio State's first true test of the season. Coming off of a 7-6 season, the Golden Bears will only get better as QB Zach Maynard enters his senior season, accompanied by 1,322-yard rusher Isi Sofele. With a very vulnerable defense, however, I don't see California stopping Braxton Miller and Ohio State's stable of running backs.

The verdict: Ohio State 35, Cal 13

Ohio State's record after this game: 3-0

Game 4: UAB Blazers

When: September 22, 2012 

Where: Columbus, Ohio 

Storyline: Being the second Conference USA team on Ohio State's schedule, UAB should come out very flat in Columbus, Ohio, as they were only 1-5 away from home last season. The 3-9 Blazers were one of the worst teams in their conference a year ago and that will show in this game. 

The verdict: Ohio State 41, UAB 6 

Ohio State's record after this game: 4-0 

Game 5: Michigan State Spartans

When: September 29, 2012

Where: East Lansing, Michigan 

Storyline: In Columbus last year, the low-scoring game between the Spartans and the Buckeyes was a defensive struggle. Things may be similar in East Lansing, as Michigan State returns nine of its 11 starters on defense. Without an experienced QB, however, the Spartans will have trouble moving the ball on an improving silver-bullet defense. 

The verdict: Ohio State 20, Michigan State 10 

Ohio State's record after this game: 5-0 

Game 6: Nebraska Cornhuskers

When: October 6, 2012

Where: Columbus, Ohio 

Storyline: Before Braxton Miller was injured in Lincoln, Nebraska last season, Ohio State had a firm lead against the Cornhuskers and was looking sharp. But when Miller went out, Nebraska rallied and came back, only exemplifying Miller's importance to the team. If Miller stays healthy this time around, look for the Buckeyes to come away with a win at home. 

The verdict: Ohio State 31, Nebraska 21

Ohio State's record after this game: 6-0

Game 7: Indiana Hoosiers

When: October 13, 2012

Where: Bloomington, Indiana

Storyline: The Indiana Hoosiers are coming off of a 1-11 season and have been the punching bag of the Big 10 for a while now. Look for the Buckeyes to cruise to a victory with ease in Bloomington and extend their win streak against the Hoosiers to 24 years.

The verdict: Ohio State 42, Indiana 7

Ohio State's record after this game: 7-0

Game 8: Purdue Boilermakers

When: October 20, 2012 

Where: Columbus, Ohio

Storyline: Purdue has given Ohio State fits in the past and have made a lot of matchups both memorable and interesting. Though the Boilermakers won in two of their last three meetings against the Buckeyes, the last time Purdue came away with a win in Columbus was back in 1988, when the Buckeyes only went 4-6-1 on the season. 

The verdict: Ohio State 27, Purdue 14

Ohio State's record after this game: 8-0

Game 9: Penn State Nittany Lions

When: October 27, 2012

Where: University Park, Pennsylvania

Storyline: The Buckeyes have had their fair share of struggles against Penn State over the years. Besides Michigan, Penn State has a better record against Ohio State than any other team in the conference. Though the Penn State offense can be stagnant at times, their defense seems to always be solid. I see the Nittany Lions winning at home and giving Ohio State their first loss of the season. 

The verdict: Penn State 20, Ohio State 17

Ohio State's record after this game: 8-1

Game 10: Illinois Fighting Illini

When: November 3, 2012 

Where: Columbus, Ohio 

Storyline: Last season, Ohio State knocked off Nathan Scheelhaase and the then-undefeated Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois before Illinois went on a Big 10 drought. This next meeting vs. the Buckeyes should be very interesting in Columbus, Ohio, where the Fighting Illini haven't won since the 2007 season when they knocked off then-No. 1 ranked Ohio State.

Regardless of what happened in the past, the Ohio State rushing attack will control the tempo of the game and the Buckeyes will come away with their fifth straight win in the rivalry. 

The verdict: Ohio State 27, Illinois 14

Ohio State's record after this game: 9-1

Game 11: Wisconsin Badgers

When: November 17, 2012

Where: Madison, Wisconsin 

Storyline: The highly favored Wisconsin Badgers came into Columbus last season led by stud QB Russell Wilson. Wilson had the best QB rating in the country and was accompanied by Montee Ball, who led the nation in rushing yards. But Wilson, Ball and the Badgers came up short, thanks to the stellar play of OSU freshman phenom Braxton Miller. 

The last time Ohio State played in Madison, they were upset by the Badgers when they were No. 1 in the country. But I see Ohio State beating the Badgers this time around, as they will have to replace Russell Wilson and several other players. 

The verdict: Ohio State 24, Wisconsin 13

Ohio State's record after this game: 10-1 

Game 12: Michigan Wolverines

When: November 24, 2012

Where: Columbus, Ohio 

Storyline: In a close game in Ann Arbor last season, Ohio State was just two or three overthrows away from upsetting a Michigan team that had their best record in years. Braxton Miller played lights out in that game, racking up 335 total yards and 2 TDs. However, Denard Robinson played the best game of his career against the Buckeyes, leading his Wolverines to a win after having lost seven straight to the Buckeyes. 

But being a realist rather than an optimist or pessimist, it will be the Wolverines' game to lose next season. With the bowl ban, however, Ohio State will put more emphasis on the Michigan game. It will be the only thing they have to play for next season. Will that give them enough motivation to come out with a win against their hated arch rivals? Only time will tell! I can't wait to see what Urban Meyer has in store for next season.

So who really wins in this game? Everyone!