In the final AP poll of this season, Ohio State finished third, behind Alabama and Oregon. Being ranked behind those teams is nothing to be ashamed of, as each program has been the model for consistency and success in recent years. When the 2013 preseason college football rankings come out this summer, Ohio State should be ranked No. 2, behind only Alabama. The Ohio State Buckeyes 2014 BCS Championship Odds are currently set at 10/1 by thegreek.com sportsbook. That is currently third best on The Greek's list of potential BCS contenders.
The Buckeyes were the only team in the nation to go undefeated this season, as they finished a perfect 12-0. Due to a postseason ban, Ohio State was ineligible for all postseason play, including the Big Ten Championship game and all bowl games. For Ohio State to go undefeated was remarkable, especially since the team knew they were ineligible for all postseason play. Urban Meyer and his coaching staff deserve to be praised for keeping the team focused because things could have gotten out of control quickly without anything to play for.
Braxton Miller will be a junior next season, although he has the experience of a senior having started for the past two seasons. Due to Miller's dual-threat ability, he is amongst the Heisman favorites looking ahead to 2013. Behind an offensive line that improved this season, Miller will be presented with plenty of big-play opportunities against Big Ten defenses. Ohio State's leading receivers will be returning next season as well, with Corey Brown and Devin Smith returning to Columbus. The duo combined for 90 catches, 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns this season and are poised to improve on those numbers in 2013.
On defense, Ohio State will have to replace standout defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins and John Simon. The Buckeyes defense will lose five other senior starters as well, which means younger players will need to step up.
The Buckeyes will face a similarly easy slate in 2013, although they have to travel to the Big House after hosting Michigan this season. Only five of the teams on Ohio State's schedule for next season finished this season with a winning record, which speaks to the weak schedule the Buckeyes have on the docket. Outside of traveling to Ann Arbor, Ohio State's other two challenging road games figure to be against Northwestern and Cal, with neither of those teams being particularly imposing.
Look out for this team in 2014. They are very motivated and very talented and could just be the team to end the reign of the SEC.
2014 BCS Championship Odds
Alabama +300
Oregon +800
Ohio State +1000
LSU +1000
Texas A&M +1400
Florida +1500
Florida State +1500
The Field +2000
Louisivlle +2000
Clemson +2000
Notre Dame +2000
Miami (Fla.) +2500
Oklahoma +2500
Georgia +3000
Michigan +3000
Stanford +3000
South Carolina +3000
Texas +3000
Nebraska +3500
UCLA +4000
USC +4000
Oklahoma St. +4000
Wisconsin +5000
Miss State +6000
Virginia Tech +6000
TCU +6500
Oregon State +7000
Boise State +7500
Michigan State +8000
North Carolina +8000
Arizona +10000
Rutgers +10000
Tennessee +10000
Washington +10000
Arkansas +12500
BYU +15000
Cincinnati +15000
West Virginia +15000
Pittsburgh +15000
Kansas State +15000
Georgia Tech +17500
Iowa +17500
Missouri +20000
Auburn +20000
California +25000
South Florida +25000
Boston College +30000
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