Urban Meyer Ohio State Speculation: Why Deal May Rest on NCAA Filings

The college world is ablaze with the rumors that Urban Meyer is going to be named the next coach at Ohio State, and yesterday he denied that he had reached an agreement with the school, saying, "There is no truth to that. I know it’s that time of year, but I’ve not been offered any job, and I certainly haven’t accepted any job."

That doesn't mean they haven't talked about it, though!

According to Eleven Warriors, a highly reputable Ohio State blog, there is a really good chance that they have in fact all but reasonably reached a deal. It appears all they are waiting for is the NCAA verdict on their investigation.

In all likelihood, the only reason they are waiting on that is that Meyer doesn't want to take over a program that gets hit too hard with penalties. 

Perhaps the most noteworthy thing here is that the sources they use have a history of being right previously. 

This is what they say they know. 

"

• There has long been mutual interest between Ohio State and Urban Meyer.
• Urban has agreed in principle to take the position next year. Numbers have been exchanged and agreed upon via back-channel talks.
• Ohio State and Meyer are waiting for the NCAA to deliver its verdict, after which time, the announcement of Meyer as the new head coach will take place.
• Both parties are on the same page with regards to what they expect to hear from the NCAA. Both parties believe the NCAA's punishment will not be an obstacle to Meyer taking the job.
• While early December has been floated, the university is hoping to hear back from the NCAA later this month.
• LSU offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa, a Fostoria native who coached with Meyer at Bowling Green, is very much in play to become a member of Meyer's staff at Ohio State.

"

For those that don't know, Fostoria is a town in Ohio about 100 miles from Columbus. 

So, when it comes to these kinds of rumors, you are better off listening to the rumblings beneath the surface than on the surface, as long as they don't include Les Miles going to Michigan. 

This has all the hallmarks of smoke meaning fire. Eleven Warriors puts their assurance level at "99.7 percent." You don't work that hard to build credibility to be risky with it. 

So how would Urban Meyer fit in at Ohio State? He was 3-1 in bowls against the best of the Big Ten when he was at Florida. That's all we have for a coaching record. He never faced a Big Ten team in the regular season, either with Utah or Florida. 

Generally, though, he would probably succeed. He would inherit a quarterback in Braxton Miller that would fit well into the spread offense he likes to run. His coaching record speaks for itself.

Provided the penalties are not too severe, Ohio State would likely be a very short hiatus from prominence in the NCAA.