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Ohio State Football: 4th and Short, questions for Week 10

By Blake Biscardi

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers throws the ball during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers throws the ball during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images) /
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An in-depth analysis of possible College Football Playoff scenarios, what the Ohio State football team needs to do going forward and more.

Ohio State was idle this past weekend as mass chaos struck teams ranked between 15 and 25. The Buckeyes will look to get back on track this upcoming Saturday as they host a Cornhuskers team who is hitting their stride.

The Ohio State-Nebraska game joins a jam-packed lineup of games that serve as evaluators for the committee or carry major playoff ramifications. Let us take a look at those highly anticipated matchups including Alabama-LSU, the playoff race, what to expect from Ohio State and more.

Q: [Ohio State has to] win by 40 this week, [correct]? How likely is [it that] Nebraska scores 30 points this Saturday?

A: For the first month of the season, Ohio State looked the part as they racked two humongous wins at the time in beating TCU and Penn State both away from Columbus. However, since the Penn State game, Ohio State has seemed to regress on a weekly basis rather than impress. The defensive issues and poor offensive line play finally caught up to the Buckeyes against the Boilermakers who roared to a 49-20 victory.

Ohio State is now in a position where they are on the outside of the playoff picture with a path that is both clear and obstructed at the same time. If the Buckeyes wish to return to the playoff, they first need to begin passing the eye test again by taking care of lesser opponents and look good doing it.

For Ohio State, their resurgence begins this weekend in the Horseshoe in front a blackout crowd against Nebraska. College Football is entering November which means it is all about sending messages to the Selection Committee.

Winning this game in dominant fashion would assist the Buckeyes’ case in beginning to show their glaring issues have been resolved as well as building confidence for their stretch run.

On the other hand, if Nebraska walks into The Shoe and puts up big numbers offensively and gives Ohio State all they can handle like Indiana and Minnesota did, that would likely tell the committee “you get what you get” with Ohio State this year.

The Buckeyes have largely been a one-dimensional offense with a defense that misses tackles and gives up big plays. In other words, not a complete team capable of winning a championship.

I believe the former will come to pass because the Buckeyes were hit square in the mouth by the Boilermakers. I expect an inspired team, especially on defense, wanting to show the world they are better than the inexcusable showing in West Lafayette.

The likelihood of Nebraska putting up thirty points this weekend is certainly possible, but I will deem it highly unlikely.

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