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Ohio State Football: 2018 set up for Meyer to close gap on Saban

By Thomas Scurlock

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches player warm up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches player warm up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Will the Ohio State head coach close the gap next season?

Urban Meyer is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.  By most measures, his tenure has been stellar.

Two outright Big Ten titles, one national championship and an overall record of 73-8.  He’s also created an NFL pipeline that is incredible.

As a side note, I consider the 2012 team Big Ten Champions too even if the record books say otherwise.  The team went undefeated beating both Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Despite the success, there is still a faint void in the resume.  Surpassing Nick Saban as the greatest coach of this generation.

I don’t know if this is a goal of Meyer’s, but I have to think it is.  He’s extraordinarily competitive.  If Meyer is counting, he’s now down three.

Saban has six national championships, one at LSU and five at Alabama.

I am wondering if Meyer will catch Saban.

There is definitely time.  Meyer is 13 years younger, but Saban has a loaded team coming back and does not seem to be slowing down even though he is 66. I don’t think he’ll finish his career with six.

The SEC is weaker than it has been in decades so the path for Saban to make the playoff has never been easier.

On the other hand, the Big Ten is getting stronger and Meyer’s path is getting more difficult.

Legacies are important and Meyer’s is secured regardless of what happens in the future.

It just feels like there has been a few missed opportunities to capitalize, specifically 2015 and 2017.  I think that trend will end in 2018.

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The next two years are set up for Meyer to close the gap on Saban.  Ohio State’s roster is already loaded, considerably better than any other program in the Big Ten, and he has another remarkable class coming in this year.

The schedule is favorable this year and likely next year too as the non-conference slate is absolutely embarrassing.

Coaching stability is another advantage.  Kevin Wilson’s first year was a success. He now has all his skill positions players back along with more depth on the line. The offense is going to explode.

If Bill Davis can get the linebackers playing at a high level again, there won’t be a weak unit on the team.

Call me spoiled, but three seasons without a national championship is disappointing. If Alabama can win five national championships, Ohio State can do the same.

Next: A terrific Friday for Urban Meyer

That’s the bar Meyer has set for this program. It is time to live up to the potential.

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