In 2011, The Ohio State Buckeyes finished the season 6-7 under interim Head Coach Luke Fickell now Cinncnati Head Coach. Fickell stepped in after Head Coach Jim Tressel stepped down due to the tattoo scandal in 2010, in which three Ohio State including Qb Terrelle Pryor received tattoos for signed memorabilia. The NCAA deemed Ohio State Ineligible for a bowl game in the 2012 season. This was the start of the Urban Meyer regime at Ohio State. Today we will look back at the best Ohio State football games of the past decade.
10. Ohio State 26 – #19 Michigan 21 -2012
This game made the list because it was a close game throughout and it started a 10 year run where the Buckeyes beat Michigan every year. Ohio State also closed out the season 12-0 with the win. This win was spurred by the defense who forced four turnovers and shut out the Wolverines in the second half. The offense managed two touchdowns and four field goals in this grind it out game.
9. Ohio State 21 – Wisconsin 14 -2012
Another defense battle between the Buckeyes and the Badgers in Madison. The offensive highlight from this game was Philly Brown taking a punt all the way for a touchdown. Ohio State led 14-7 with 2:52 left in the 4th. Wisconsin had the ball on the 1 yard line on 4th and 1, they handed it to Monte Ball and he dove for the end zone and the ball comes free and the buckeyes recover to hold on for the win.
8. #10 Ohio State 62 – #4 Michigan 39 -2018
The Wolverines came to Columbus as favorites looking to make the playoff just to get run over by Ohio State. The Buckeyes and Dwayne Haskins jumped on the wolverines early and it was never close. The Buckeyes were led by Qb Dwayne Haskins who threw for 396 yards and 6 touchdowns. With this win the Buckeyes ruined the Wolverines season and their revenge tour.
7. #3 Ohio State 27 – #9 Penn state 26 -2018
The second straight 4th quarter comeback against Penn State. The Nittany lions got off to a fast start leading 13-0 as the buckeyes offense couldn’t get going. By the 4th Ohio State lead 14-13 but that didn’t last long as Penn State scored back to back touchdowns to start the 4th to make it 14-26. The Buckeyes responded by scoring two touchdowns to take a 1 point lead and the defense made a crucial fourth down play to secure the win for the Buckeyes.
6. #6 Ohio State 39 – #2 Penn State 38 -2017
An all time game of this series ended in a Ohio State comeback win. The Nittany Lions started off hot with running back Saquon Barkley taking the opening kick back for a touchdown and then increasing their lead to 28-10 by the half way point of the 2nd. The Buckeyes had to overcome an 18 point deficit to win this one. The Buckeyes dug them selfs a big hole with turnovers and miscue’s. The tides began to change when the special teams unit blocked a kick and the buckeyes would lately put it in the end zone that drive. The late game heroics of JT Barrett led the Buckeyes to overcome an 18 deficit and knock off the #2 Penn State Nittany lions.
5. #4 Ohio State 42 – Oregon 20 -2015
A dream come true. Ohio State took on Oregon for the first ever College Football Playoff trophy. The Buckeyes played a dominant game throughout despite careless turnovers. Ezekiel Elliott continued his dominance through the playoff rushing for 246 yards and four touchdowns. Ohio State and Urban Meyer would celebrate their first National Championship since 2002 after running over Oregon 42-20.
4. #3 Ohio State 42 – Michigan 41 -2013
Hands down one of the best Ohio State vs Michigan games ever. This one was an absolute shoot out, both teams taking each other’s best shot. This game was back and forth all day. This edition of the rivalry also included one of the biggest fights of the rivalry. With .32 left in the game Michigan makes it 41-42 Ohio state. The wolverines decided to go for 2 and the win and the pass was incepted by Ohio State cornerback Tyvis Powell and the Buckeyes prevailed in Ann Arbor.
3. #3 Ohio State 49 – #2 Clemson 28 -2020
The revenge game after the Tigers beat them in the previous seasons CFP semifinal. The Buckeyes were hungry to get back here especially to play and beat Clemson. At start it looked like we were in for a tight game both teams scoring 2 touchdowns in the first quarter. After the first the buckeyes grit and determination took over as they jumped out to a 35 to 14 lead at half and they never let up. The buckeyes and Justin fields beat Clemson 49-28 to head to the National Championship game against Alabama.
2. #5 Ohio State 59 – #13 Wisconsin 0-2014
The Cardale Jones coming out party in Indy. The Buckeyes were forced to start 3rd String Qb Cardale Jones due to JT Barrett getting hurt the week prior and Braxton Miller going down before the season. The Buckeyes absolutely dominated the Badgers from the start. Ezekiel Elliot run all over Wisconsin. The Cardale Jones to Devin Smith long ball connection was nearly unstoppable as the Buckeyes blew out Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten Championship game.
1. #4 Ohio State 42 – #1 Alabama 35 -2014
Ohio State came into this game massive underdogs with their 3rd string Qb Cardale Jones. The Buckeyes were looked at as after thoughts because they had no shot against big bad Bama. Ohio State went shot for shot with the crimson tide in the first half. Ohio State came up big right before the half with one of the most memorable plays in Ohio State history. With 19 seconds left in the first half WR Evan Spencer threw a beauty of a pass to WR Michael Thomas who came down with the catch to make it 20-21 Alabama. Ohio State got things going in the 3rd quarter by scoring two quick touchdowns but bama fought back to bring it within six. The buckeyes would eventually hold on and end the game with a INT in the end zone.
1 Comment
Very good article