Ohio State Football: Buckeyes Are Biggest Threat to Dethrone SEC

The SEC's BCS National Championship streak began with Urban Meyer coaching against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2007 title game.

Since then, college football's best conference has rolled off seven straight titles.

As the nation learned in 2012, Ohio State is back for good after finishing 12-0 in Meyer's first season. The coach also brought in an excellent recruiting class, as the Bucks ranked No. 1 on Scout.com and No. 2 on Rivals.com.

Factor in a potential Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Braxton Miller and Ohio State will definitely be in the national title discussion. The Buckeyes also have set expectations as well.

In an article by Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated, Ohio State certainly has displayed confidence:

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"I hear about it all the time from my cousin -- SEC this, SEC that," said [Ryan] Shazier. "There's one reason I came to Ohio State -- to beat up on the SEC."

"The SEC has won, what, seven [BCS titles] in a row?" said [Brad] Roby. "What better than for Ohio State to be the team that ends it? That's what we're looking to do this year."

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Speaking of Ryan Shazier and Brad Roby, each are among the best defenders at not only their respective positions in the land, but overall.

Shazier is a versatile linebacker capable of making plays all around the line of scrimmage. With 17 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and 12 defended passes last season, Shazier offers the talent to blitz, fill gaps against the run and shell consistently in coverage.

His general field awareness is what will keep Ohio State's front seven orchestrated.

As for Roby, he defended 19 passes last season and recorded 63 tackles. Given Shazier's impact in the box, Roby's talent will continue locking down half the field and making plays on the ball.

Mesh the skill set of Miller to lead a balanced offense with Meyer's defense and the Buckeyes feature star players to challenge anyone. Unsurprisingly, Jerry Palm of CBS Sports predicted on May 7 that Ohio State will square off against Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide for the Coaches' Trophy.

Another Meyer-Saban showdown?

Not only is that great for college football, but it's the most realistic game for the upcoming season. Plus, what better way to potentially end the SEC's run with the man who started it.

Put all the elements together of Meyer, his quarterback, the defense, recruiting and a favorable schedule with the irony of it all, and it is Ohio State's 2013-14 destiny.