End zone: Ohio State 10-4

10/4/2012

Urban Meyer repeats the same coaching bromide after each Ohio State win. The best thing about being 5-0, he would say this week, is the chance to go 6-0.

I suspect that will change Saturday night. For the Buckeyes, the best thing about beating No. 21 Nebraska would not be the chance to go 7-0 — a bye week at Indiana assures that. It would be the chance to go 12-0.

I am not saying OSU is a great team. It is not. Far from it. But it is a good one with a core of veteran leaders who have helped maintain direction in a season shorn of the usual motivations. And did we mention the Buckeyes still toil in the Big Ten? With all due respect to the teams left on their schedule, permission granted to disrespect the teams left on their schedule. Beat the underdog Huskers, and OSU would be favored in each of its last six games against the Pacifists' Row of Indiana, Purdue, Penn State, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan — none of which are ranked.

Put the odds of perfection somewhere south of 50-50. It would be difficult under any circumstance. But can you imagine unbeaten OSU sitting at home while 8-4 Purdue and 8-4 Michigan play for the conference title? It remains the Buckeyes' dream and the Big Ten's nightmare.

For all things Ohio State sports, follow David's blog, Dotting the 'Eyes.