No. 4 Ohio State had a week off to reflect on their tough loss to Oregon.
Despite the 32-31 defeat in Eugene on October 12, the Buckeyes didn’t drop significantly in the AP Top 25, and they still have a shot at the national championship. However, they have less room for mistakes now.
If they lose again, the Buckeyes (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten), who have been seen as strong national championship contenders since the beginning of the season, might miss the 12-team College Football Playoff.
This means every game from now on is more important.
“It was a long (off) week for all of us,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “A lot of hours in here talking about it. You sit on it, you chew on it and eventually you move on and look forward, and that’s kind of where we are.”
Next up is Nebraska (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten), who will visit the Horseshoe for a Saturday game after suffering a heavy 56-7 loss to Indiana.
“I know we want to talk about last week, but we have a heck of a challenge in front of us this week,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “And if you go out there against Ohio State and you don’t challenge them, and you just want to bail and play off coverage and hope that you don’t get beat, you’re going to get run off the field with these guys.”
At the start of the season, this game against Nebraska seemed like one of Ohio State’s tougher matchups. However, the Cornhuskers are coming in as four-touchdown underdogs. Ohio State’s upcoming games against No. 3 Penn State on November 2 and No. 13 Indiana in three weeks could present bigger challenges.
“Everything is still in front of us,” Ohio State quarterback Will Howard said. “I think if nothing else it gives us a little more extra motivation. Now we know what it feels like to lose a game and walk off the field and have that feeling. I can guarantee none of us want to feel that again.”
