I don't know what a tier 2 state school in Ohio is, but I should think that with even mediocre grades, you should be able to get into the Tier 1 state schools in Ohio, which I consider to be Ohio State, UC and Miami, although I guess Miami may be a bit difficult. Still, I would choose OSU and UC over Miami anyway. Those are big state schools, which have the resources to offer a world class education. They give you options, which is to say that are exactly what you make of them. Miami is great--just not my cup of tea.
I am increasingly (hugely, really) impressed with what the University of Akron has been doing of late--and it is quickly pushing and shoving its way into the top tier of Ohio state schools. It obviously is not shy about spending some money (look at all the new state of the art buildings) and it has been doing a lot of advertising lately.
Miami has a good reputation in Ohio. I see no reason why even with mediocre grades, you should not be able to transfer into one of these four schools in any event.
I think that if you are a resident of the state of Ohio, OSU has to admit you into one of thier campuses. Even if it is a regional one, they eventually move everybody to columbus by year 3. Somebody correct me here if I am wrong about this.
Just my opinion.
Judd