Ohio State Football: Why Buckeyes Are Ready to Compete for National Title

Ohio State Football is coming off a great recruiting class and it's clear that the Buckeyes are ready to compete for a national title.

Ohio State had the second-best recruiting class in the nation, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. It includes such studs as cornerbacks Eli Apple and Cameron Burrows, athlete J.T. Barrett, safety Vonn Bell and wide receiver Tyquan Lewis.

This adds to a team that went 12-0 and most likely would have played in the national championship game if not for sanctions.

Braxton Miller is a star and will only improve in his junior season. Last season, he threw for 2,039 yards, 15 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He rushed for 1,274 yards and 13 touchdowns.

They have the talent, they have the experience and they have the coach.

They don't have the toughest of schedules, as their best opponent is probably Michigan, who they beat 26-21 last year.

With all the new, elite talent expected to come in and contribute, the team should only get better. Bell, Apple and Burrows should improve a defense that only gave up 22 points a game in 2012-13.

Meanwhile, Lewis will help an offense that only threw for 181.5 yards per game. 

They have all the tools. They have a top defense that's only going to get better. They have one of the best and most dynamic quarterbacks in the country. 

They're adding a top recruiting class filled with top-flight athletes at multiple positions. 

What's more, they have one of the best coaches in football, who has a proven track record of winning.

Things are looking up for the Buckeyes. They are by far the class of the Big Ten and should have no trouble winning that conference.

It's clear that they have the talent to compete with the big boys of the SEC. Braxton Miller is the type of player who can beat Alabama—he's similar to Johnny Manziel, who helped lead Texas A&M over the Tide last year.

This is their time. They have all the parts. 

Now all they have to do is play the games.