Ohio State Football: 2015 Game-by-Game Schedule Predictions

Ohio State is college football's top-ranked team. It's the hottest bet to win the national championship and set to enter each game this fall as a double-digit favorite. 

Just don't tell that to Urban Meyer, and don't say a word of that to his Buckeyes.

That sentiment was made clear during Meyer's first speech to the team when Ohio State reported to fall camp.

"Our goal is not to win a national championship. Don't even talk about that," Meyer said on the Big Ten Network's Scarlet and Gray Days. "You're not gonna hear that. What you are gonna hear is 'nine strong.'"

"Nine strong" refers to the nine units that comprise the football team, and Meyer's belief is based on the theory that if Ohio State is nine units strong, it won't lose. 

But from the outside looking in, expectations for the 2015 season are sky-high, and it's easy to see why. The Buckeyes return 15 starters from their national title-winning team a season ago, and they boast the depth and schedule to make another run at this year's playoff.

Will they stumble along the way? 

Sept. 7: Virginia Tech

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Ohio State will open its season in a prime-time matchup on Labor Day against Virginia Tech, which handed the Buckeyes their lone defeat in 2014. But this time around, the Buckeyes won't just have to conquer Bud Foster's stingy defense—they'll have to silence the always hostile Lane Stadium as well. 

But Urban Meyer will bring a much more experienced and confident team to the field on opening night. Last season, J.T. Barrett was making his second career start and first in Ohio Stadium when Ohio State fell to Virginia Tech. This time around, Barrett (who will win the quarterback battle over Cardale Jones) will lead a much more potent offense against the Hokies. 

Barrett will throw for three touchdowns, and Ezekiel Elliott will add two more on the ground. Even without Joey Bosa and a trio of talented wideouts (who were suspended for the season-opener), the Buckeyes will kick off their season with an impressive and convincing 18-point victory.

Ohio State 38, Virginia Tech 20

Record: 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

Sept. 12: Hawaii

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Just 10 years ago, it looked like Hawaii was emerging alongside Boise State as a non-BCS-conference power. It followed up an impressive 11-win 2006 campaign with an undefeated regular season in '07, earning a trip to the Sugar Bowl for a matchup with Georgia.

The Bulldogs thumped the Warriors 41-10, and since then, the program hasn't come close to the relevance it was primed to reach. Hawaii has only posted one winning season since 2007, and over the last three years, it has gone a dismal 8-29.

In the home opener, Ohio State will flex its muscle. Ezekiel Elliott will break free for two long touchdown runs in the first half, and J.T. Barrett will throw three touchdowns before halftime to build a 38-7 lead at the break. The backups will play most of the second half, and Cardale Jones will throw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the rout. 

Ohio State 66, Hawaii 13

Record: 2-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

Sept. 19: Northern Illinois

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Northern Illinois isn't just another walkover MAC school, and it'll prove it when the two teams meet in Ohio Stadium in Week 3.

Quarterback Drew Hare is the real deal, and he's back to lead the reigning MAC champions through a promising season. He threw for 2,322 yards with an impressive ratio of 18 touchdowns to two interceptions last year, but he's also a legitimate threat on the ground. Hare complemented his stellar passing numbers with 900 yards and eight touchdowns in the running game.

It'll take the Buckeyes almost two quarters to adjust to Hare's playmaking ability. The Huskies will drive 75 yards on their first drive to take an early 7-0 lead, and the two teams will go back and forth for much of the first half. Braxton Miller will break a Wildcat quarterback run 50 yards for the score right before the end of the half to give the Buckeyes a 24-17 lead. 

Ohio State will gain control early in the third quarter with two consecutive touchdown drives to end the Huskies' upset bid.

Ohio State 41, Northern Illinois 24

Record: 3-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

Sept. 26: Western Michigan

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Ohio State will host another solid MAC opponent in Week 4, but it won't have as much trouble coming out with a victory.

The Buckeyes will have to bottle up Western Michigan's prolific passing attack, which features quarterback Zach Terrell (who threw for 3,433 yards and 26 touchdowns last year) and wide receivers Corey Davis and Daniel Braverman (who combined for 164 receptions, 2,405 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in 2014).

With conference play on the horizon, the Buckeyes will be dialed in. J.T Barrett's day will end near the end of the second quarter after he throws touchdown passes to three different receivers (Jalin Marshall, Braxton Miller and Michael Thomas). 

Ohio State 63, Western Michigan 13

Record: 4-0 (0-0 Big Ten)

Oct. 3: Indiana

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Over the last few years, Indiana has given Ohio State all it could handle.

That wasn't the case in 2013, when the Buckeyes blasted the Hoosiers 42-14 in Ohio Stadium. But in 2012, Ohio State had to survive a late rally before holding on for a 52-49 victory in Bloomington, Indiana. And last season, the Hoosiers had Ohio State on the ropes in Columbus, leading 20-14 through the tail end of the third quarter. But four Jalin Marshall touchdowns helped the Buckeyes pull away for a 42-27 victory.

The Buckeyes won't have that much trouble when they hit the road to Indiana.

Joey Bosa will be an absolute terror off the edge, registering three sacks and five total tackles for loss. The Hoosiers will have no chance of stopping Ezekiel Elliott, who will register a career-high 260 rushing yards (and three touchdowns) in just three quarters of play. 

Ohio State 62, Indiana 20

Record: 5-0 (1-0 Big Ten)

Oct. 10: Maryland

G Fiume/Getty Images

The Buckeyes dumped Maryland in its Big Ten debut last season, so the Terrapins will invade Columbus with revenge on their mind in Week 6.

Last year, J.T. Barrett threw for 267 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 71 yards and another score against Maryland—building upon an impressively budding season. The Buckeyes piled up 533 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers on defense as they coasted to a 28-point win.

It'll be more of the same in Columbus.

Barrett will dissect the Terrapins secondary, throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns. The Buckeyes defense will begin to hit its stride, forcing three turnovers and allowing Maryland to register just 270 total yards.

Ohio State 52, Maryland 10

Record: 6-0 (2-0 Big Ten)

Oct. 17: Penn State

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

Back under the lights in Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes will have a stiff challenge when Penn State comes to town.

The Nittany Lions nearly knocked the Buckeyes off in Happy Valley a season ago, scoring 17 unanswered second-half points to force overtime. A hobbled J.T. Barrett took over during the extra sessions, running for 32 yards and a pair of scores in the two overtime periods to secure a 31-24 victory.

This fall, Braxton Miller will be the difference against a Penn State team that will be unbeaten and ranked in the top 15. 

Hitting his stride in his role as an H-back, Miller will slice through the Penn State defense with a career-high six receptions for 125 yards and a score. He'll also register his first passing touchdown of the season when he turns a reverse into a down-the-field play for tight end Nick Vannett. Penn State will claw its way within seven to start the fourth quarter, but the Buckeyes will seal the game with a clock-killing, seven-minute touchdown drive late in the fourth.

Ohio State 34, Penn State 20

Record: 7-0 (3-0 Big Ten)

Oct. 24: Rutgers

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

After an emotional and hard-hitting prime-time matchup with Penn State and in desperate need of a bye-week, the Buckeyes will come out against Rutgers sluggish. 

Scarlet Knights receiver Leonte Carroo will be the best receiver that Ohio State has seen until this point of the season, and he'll be determined to have another solid outing against the Buckeyes. Last year in Columbus, he thrived despite Rutgers getting steamrolled by 39 points, as he caught five passes for 100 yards.

Eli Apple will lose track of Carroo a few times in the first half, and Rutgers will build an early 10-3 lead. On the road at night, Urban Meyer will turn things over to Elliott, who will hammer his way to 220 yards and three touchdowns to pull the Buckeyes ahead. 

It won't be Ohio State's best performance of the year, but it will reach a much-needed bye week undefeated and ready for the home stretch. 

Ohio State 38, Rutgers 16

Record: 8-0 (4-0 Big Ten)

Nov. 7: Minnesota

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

If championships are won in November, Ohio State will have to be at its best to close out the season.

A tough final month kicks off with a home game against Minnesota, which has shown steady improvement under head coach Jerry Kill. The Gophers have won eight games in each of the last two seasons, and they're hoping to break through in 2015, but finding replacements for running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams will be difficult.

And when they travel to Columbus, they'll be playing a well-rested and motivated Buckeyes team.

Ohio State will be motivated because Minnesota linebacker De'Vondre Campbell made headlines earlier this year with his declarations that TCU was better than Ohio State last season. The Buckeyes will leave no doubt this year, hopping all over the Gophers as they build a 28-3 lead midway through the second quarter. A garbage-time Minnesota touchdown will make it a 28-point win for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State 41, Minnesota 13

Record: 9-0 (5-0 Big Ten)

Nov. 14: Illinois

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Ohio State has absolutely dominated Illinois since Urban Meyer took over, winning by an average of 32 points in the last three meetings.

And while head coach Tim Beck has slowly improved the Illinois program since taking over in 2012, the matchup this fall will be more of the same.

J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones will each throw for more than 200 yards in the same game for the first time all season, and Ezekiel Elliott and backup running back Michael Weber will complement the passing attack with 200 combined rushing yards and three touchdowns. 

Ohio State 63, Illinois 16

Record: 10-0 (6-0 Big Ten)

Nov. 21: Michigan State

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The hype for this game will build all season, and once it arrives, it won't disappoint.

Behind the strong arm and leadership of Connor Cook and the terrifying pass-rushing abilities of Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State will enter the Week 12 matchup with Ohio State undefeated and ranked No. 3 in the country. And after avenging their first loss of the 2014 season against Oregon in Week 2, the Spartan will have their sights set on the Buckeyes in a big way.

Ohio State will benefit greatly from its home-field advantage, and that will prove to be the difference in a back-and-forth affair. The Buckeyes will build a 38-28 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Cook will respond by ripping off back-to-back scoring drives to tie the game with three minutes to go.

A 15-yard run from Ezekiel Elliott and a 35-yard reception from Michael Thomas will set the Buckeyes up for a game-winning field goal, which Sean Nuernberger will drill from 35 yards out to seal the victory.

Ohio State 41, Michigan State 38

Record: 11-0 (7-0 Big Ten)

Nov. 28: Michigan

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Dating back to 2012, Michigan has come dangerously close to spoiling Ohio State's season with an upset victory in the regular-season finale.

The 2015 edition of "The Game" will be no different.

Jim Harbaugh will have his Wolverines ready to play. After back-to-back losses to open the season, Michigan will find its groove, ripping off six wins in its next seven games, with the only loss coming at the hands of Michigan State. 

Harbaugh will be aggressive defensively, sending blitzes against Ohio State all afternoon. The Buckeyes will struggle to handle the pressure, especially early, as the home crowd and a strong Wolverines running game help build a 17-14 lead at halftime. 

The Buckeyes will regain the lead on the first drive of the second half as J.T. Barrett runs a perfectly executed option with Braxton Miller for a 60-yard score. They'll never relinquish that lead, but the Wolverines will be in it until the final minute, when a last-ditch drive is halted by a Tyvis Powell interception.

The Buckeyes will finish the regular season undefeated and advance to the Big Ten title game, where they'll face Wisconsin in a rematch of last year's conference championship. 

Ohio State 31, Michigan 27

Record: 12-0 (8-0 Big Ten)

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.