Ohio State survives challenge from plucky Ohio U

Obviously the Ohio State Buckeyes, ranked #3 in the country behind USC and Georgia, have bigger fish to fry.  They’ve got a trip next weekend to sunny southern California for a grudge match against the top ranked USC Trojans.  It’s stating the obvious that they’ve got to play a *lot* better than they did Saturday in defeating MAC entrant Ohio University 26-14 if they hope to have a chance at derailing the USC Trojan juggernaut. 

While the Buckeye apologist would suggest that OSU “took care of business”, the reality is that they completely overlooked Ohio and very nearly had their season defining game against USC relegated to an afterthought in a sightseeing trip.  Ohio led 7-6 at halftime, 14-12 at the end of three and were extremely lucky to get out of the game with a “W”.  Despite turning the ball over 5 times, Ohio matched their more powerful adversary statistic for statistic except, of course, for the one that matters the most—the final score. 

Ohio State had 17 first downs for 272 total yards, 110 rushing and 162 passing.  Mindful of the fact that they likely kept their offense “under wraps” in advance of next week’s big game, those numbers will get them annihilated against the Trojans.  Ohio’s stats were almost identical, with 15 first downs and 253 total yards (109 passing, 144 rushing).   Ohio State needed a punt return for their final TD, and certainly can’t count on special teams plays like that—nor 4 opponent interceptions—next week against USC.

Not helping Ohio State was a foot injury to Heisman Trophy candidate running back Chris “Beanie” Wells.  Wells injured his foot in last week’s rout of Youngstown State and while it’s difficult to get a straight answer on its severity most are of the opinion that his absence today was more cautionary than necessary.  In other words, expect to see him back next week at USC.