COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Knocked back on his heels by the question from an Ohio State student television reporter Monday, Urban Meyer may have wondered what happened to his honeymoon period as the new coach of the Buckeyes.

The 23rd question of his introductory news conference Monday was whether he could win a national championship in the next couple years with the current OSU personnel.

"Wow. I'm just trying to get to tomorrow, man," Meyer said. "I'm trying to go make some recruit calls tonight and I'll get to know these guys. So with all due respect, wow, I don't know. I'm going to try to really put together a good coaching staff and do the best we can."

Now that it's been mentioned, though ... what should Ohio State fans expect next year?

Regardless of what happened with the coaching search, there are several reasons in which expecting the Buckeyes to bounce right back in 2012 after a 6-6 regular season makes a lot of sense.

• Certainty will help. Any permanent head coach would have gained an edge just by eliminating the chaos that surrounded the program after Jim Tressel's forced resignation. A permanent coach able to name his own staff, and prepare his team his own way for a full year, will be an improvement.

• A defense that started just two seniors -- linebacker Andrew Sweat and defensive back Tyler Moeller -- featured some young players with promise who clearly need more seasoning. Sophomore safeties C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant, freshman cornerback Bradley Roby and freshman linebacker Ryan Shazier could add consistency to their playmaking ability with another year.

"I think this next year is going to have a lot of great talent," senior center Mike Brewster said. "I think they'll have a large chance to succeed and lots of the young guys will be much better, and the playing time this year is definitely going to help them."

• Check out the Buckeyes' 2012 season schedule

Other freshmen such as defensive lineman Michael Bennett, linebacker Curtis Grant and defensive back Doran Grant are candidates to play more. Throw in defensive lineman John Simon as a senior, Johnathan Hankins as a junior, the potential return of Nathan Williams as a fifth-year senior after a medical redshirt (he was lost for the season after injuring his knee in the opener) and the defensive line should get better. Following microfracture surgery, Williams remains a question mark, but anything he could give the Buckeyes would help.

"I think he's not a good player, I think he's a great player," Meyer said of Williams. "He's kind of the heart and soul. When he went out, that hurt us, hurt Ohio State."

• True freshmen quarterbacks are a crapshoot. Although Braxton Miller progressed over the course of the season, by the time he hits the field next September he should look like a different player. That's what has Meyer most excited. He called meeting Miller the highlight of his Monday, after "sitting there shaking hands with that good-looking quarterback with a nice smile."

"I've watched him compete in the big game. And to tell you I'm excited to coach him, I'm not using the correct adjectives," Meyer said. "So I think you get it, right? Really excited."

Overall, Meyer said you can "build a team around what I saw." But there are obviously holes to fill, too.

The offensive line has to replace its center and both tackles. The play at linebacker definitely needs to improve and depth needs to be added. The receiving group that was such a problem in DeVier Posey's absence will return the same players who need to make major strides. Running back Dan Herron gave the Buckeyes a spark and will be missed, and though there are candidates with Carlos Hyde, Jordan Hall, freshman Rod Smith and incoming recruit Warren Ball, a No. 1 back will need to emerge.

But there should be time for that to happen. The nonconference schedule is all at home and features four opponents -- Miami (Ohio) (4-8), Central Florida (5-7), California (7-5) and Alabama-Birmingham (3-9) -- that were a combined 19-29 this season. Conference road trips to Michigan State and Wisconsin won't be easy, but Leaders Division foes Illinois and Penn State will be under first-year coaches as well.

In the end, these Buckeyes, for all their issues, lost five Big Ten games by a total of 25 points, and none by more than a touchdown.

So a national championship is a bit much to ask. But there's reason to expect the Buckeyes to be back, and it's not only because of the guy in charge. Though he should help.