Urban Meyer Ohio State: Game-by-Game Predictions for 1st Season with Buckeyes

After weeks of rumors on where Urban Meyer will coach next, it has become official, as he has accepted the had coaching job at Ohio State. We all knew the job was too good to pass up; it was really just a matter of time before the rumors were confirmed.

With the regular season wrapped up for the Buckeyes and only a bowl game left, it's time to look forward to next season. How will Meyer do in his first season in the Big Ten?

He has been very successful everywhere he has coached and does not even have one losing record.

Here are the game-by-game predictions for the Buckeyes 2012 season.

Vs. Miami (Ohio)

I really believe that the Buckeyes would be able to win this game regardless of who the head coach is. Ohio State has the better recruits, better overall team and are at home. It would be very disappointing to start your career off with a loss to the RedHawks. 

Meyer has never lost the first game as a head coach anywhere he's went, and I don't think that will change.

Buckeyes win 38-13

Vs. UCF

The Knights are an up-and-coming program, but still have some work to do before they can compete with the big boys of the Big Ten. UCF is losing quite a few offensive starters, and that doesn't look good taking on a coach that's offensive minded and scores a lot of points.

Buckeyes win 32-16

Vs. California

The Golden Bears are an underrated team, as they can score a lot of points and nearly upset Stanford a couple of weeks ago. But they will lose 11 starting seniors this year, including both defensive ends and safeties.

Cal should provide a stiffer test than the first two opponents, but the result will still be the same.

Buckeyes win 35-21

Vs. UAB

Does this game really need an explanation? The Blazers are a terrible football team that is horrible on both sides of the ball. Let Brutus coach this game, and Ohio State will still win by 20 points or so.

Buckeyes win 43-10

At Michigan State

Before this year's loss, Ohio State had won the last seven meetings between these two teams.

This will be the Buckeyes first road game, as they travel to Michigan State to take on the Spartans. Michigan State could return nearly their entire defense that is extremely good, but the offense will lose its top receivers, tight end and starting quarterback.

This rivalry is always intense, but I see Ohio State winning.

Buckeyes win 27-14

Vs. Nebraska

The Buckeyes return home to take on the Cornhuskers, and as long as Taylor Martinez is still the quarterback for them, I'm going to pick Ohio State. The guy couldn't water if he fell out of a boat, and once Nebraska gets put in a hole early, the game is over. 

Buckeyes win: 34-19

At Indiana

Does this game really have to be played or can the Buckeyes just receive a bye week? The Hoosiers are absolutely brutal, and it doesn't look like things are going to change anytime soon. I'll go out on a limb and pick Ohio State to win.

Buckeyes win 37-10

Vs. Purdue

The Buckeyes lost a close one this year in a overtime thriller. This time, the Boilmakers are the away team, and it doesn't look like they'll be so lucky. Purdue has an OK team, but they're not at that level yet where they can compete with teams like the Buckeyes when 100 percent and coached properly.

Buckeyes win 36-14

At Penn State

It's hard to pick games a year from now as it is, but this game is even more difficult to predict. We have no idea what's going to happen to Penn State or who the head coach is going to be. I do know that the Nittany Lions are losing nearly their entire offensive line and six defensive starters.

I'll take the Buckeyes until we know more about what's going to happen to Penn State.

Buckeyes win 26-14

Vs. Illinois

With Ron Zook out of Illinois, it makes things a little more interesting. Nathan Scheelhaase is a decent quarterback, but I'm not sure they have enough firepower to compete with the Buckeyes.

Buckeyes win 32-21

At Wisconsin

Wisconsin won't be so lucky next year, as they lose their top receiver in Nick Toon and their starting quarterback Russell Wilson. Montee Ball may also decide to take his talents to the NFL. Once again, I'll go with the Buckeyes over a rebuilding team, as Ohio State will also have an extra week to prepare.

Buckeyes win 24-17

Vs. Michigan

This is the game that will either make or break Urban Meyer. He has to win this game against the hated Michigan Wolverines. Lucky for him, he has the home crowd behind him.

Denard Robinson will likely return for his senior season, and that will determine the outcome of this game. If he has a good game, the Wolverines will win; if he ends up throwing three interceptions, they lose.

Right now I'll say that Braxton Miller makes the key mistake in this game and turns the ball over late to cost the Buckeyes an undefeated season.

Wolverines win 24-21

Overall

Overall, Urban Meyer has a fairly easy schedule his first year as the head coach. The first four games are all at home and against sub-par competition.

Of course, he has to take on a few tough Big Ten teams, but they're either losing a lot of talented players or the Buckeyes are at home.

I believe that Braxton Miller will thrive in Meyer's spread offense, and this team will be the complete opposite of what they are this season.

One or two losses, Big Ten title and BCS bowl may be a bold prediction, but isn't impossible with a talented team, favorable schedule and great coach. 

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]