Ohio State Football fans have to get used to close wins

Most years, the Ohio State football team has a top-five offense in the country. They are able to get up and down the field at will and score at least 40 points every game. Offenses under Ryan Day have traditionally put up elite numbers, specifically with the passing game.

That’s not the case this year. Ohio State doesn’t have the high-flying offense that Ohio State football fans are used to seeing. The Buckeyes have been winning with gritty defense instead. While not as aesthetically pleasing, it gets the job done. A win is a win.

This is not something that fans are used to, but it needs to be. Ohio State is not going to blow away good teams in the Big Ten. The defense is going to lead them to victories. The defense has been so bad over the last three years that Buckeye fans aren’t used to this adjustment.

The question a lot of Ohio State fans have is if this type of play is sustainable. Can the Buckeyes keep leaning on their defense to get wins? Can this type of play win games in the College Football Playoff? Most importantly, can this style of play beat Michigan at the end of the year?

I believe the answer is yes. Despite some shaky play against the run against Rutgers, the defense has been elite for most of this season. They haven’t allowed anyone to throw on them all year. Stopping the run is an adjustment the defense will make for the Michigan game.

Look, I like seeing the Buckeyes win games by 50 as much as the next guy. But I just like wins period. If this is how this year’s team is going to get them, so be it. The defense continues to show that they will bend and not break. The offense needs to do just enough to not lose.