The #2 Ohio State Buckeyes rallied back from a ten-point deficit to defeat #8 Wisconsin 30-23 in overtime on the road.
It was an uneasy start to say the least, as the Buckeyes trailed 16-6 at the half and Ohio State’s offense could not get going.
Much like a week earlier, quarterback J.T. Barrett struggled in the passing game, but Ohio State grinded out a 53-yard drive and Barrett capped it off with a one-yard rushing touchdown, the first of the night for the Buckeyes.
That touchdown cut the deficit to three with 2:53 left in the third quarter and started to change momentum, as Gareon Conley came away with an interception on the next drive, setting up Ohio State at the Wisconsin 38.
The Buckeyes capitalized off that turnover and Barrett punched in another rushing touchdown from eight yards out to give OSU its first lead of the night with 14:09 to play.
Wisconsin, who had been stagnant offensively for most of the second half, came to life, marching 81 yards over six minutes to take the lead on a four-yard rushing touchdown from fullback Austin Ramesh with 7:54 remaining.
The Buckeye offense continued to click on the next drive, getting all the way to the Wisconsin 17, but had to settle for a field goal to tie the game at 23.
Wisconsin threatened in OSU territorry, but the Buckeye defense held the Badgers at bay, forcing a punt with 41 seconds left.
Ohio State opted to let the clock run out and head to overtime.
Wisconsin won the toss and Ohio State opened up with the ball.
Much like their other primetime game on the road, it was Noah Brown coming through in the clutch grabbing a jump ball in the end zone to give OSU a 30-23 lead.
And as the Buckeye defense has done all season, they made the big stop when they needed to, shutting down the Badgers on 4th and goal at the four.
The Buckeyes spoiled Wisconsin’s upset, handed the Badgers their second loss and remained unbeaten, improving to 6-0.
It was the first test for a relatively young team and despite some hiccups, they managed to grind out a gritty win.
The win cements Ohio State as a legit top four team in the nation, but also showed Wisconsin’s defense to be as great as advertised.
The two teams could potentially meet again down the road in the Big Ten Conference Championship Game, if both win out the rest of the way.
The Buckeyes still have a tough road ahead, as they will face unbeaten Nebraska and Michigan, both in Columbus in the coming weeks.
This win, as ugly as it was at times, may have shown that Alabama is far and away the number one team, after the Crimson Tide dominated #9 Tennessee 48-10 on the road, putting all thoughts of an upset to rest early.
Although every win counts the same, Ohio State is starting to show that they are not invincible and their match against Michigan is becoming even more intriguing with every week.
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