J.T. Tuimoloau

Explore the highs and lows of Ohio State’s narrow 21-17 win over Nebraska with Cory and Lisa from the OHIO Podcast, covering defensive strengths, offensive struggles, and key takeaways for the Buckeyes.

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Ohio State fans may have breathed a sigh of relief after a tense 21-17 win over Nebraska, but Buckeye Nation knows this game had a lot to unpack. Florida Cory, known to some as White Buffalo from Scarlet and Great, and Lisa, the “Buckeye Football Fangirl,” gave a full breakdown, highlighting what went right, what went wrong, and what was downright ugly in this close call. Here’s their take on the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good

Despite the close score, a few bright spots kept the Buckeyes alive. Cory and Lisa both agreed that the defense’s adjustments during the bye week paid off. Ohio State’s defensive staff introduced new blitz packages and disguised pressures, helping keep Nebraska’s offense in check and forcing critical stops.

Ohio State tallied close to 10 tackles for loss, thanks to relentless pressure on Nebraska’s quarterback, which might have been a game-saver. Cory pointed out that if the Buckeyes had implemented these strategies against Oregon earlier in the season, the outcome of that game could have been very different. The highlight? Sniffing out Nebraska’s repeated attempts at screen passes, which led to numerous key stops.

To top it off, J.T. Tuimoloau stepped up with one of his best games of the season, setting him up for what Ohio State fans hope will be another dominant performance against Penn State next week.

The Bad

Unfortunately, the Buckeye offense didn’t exactly come to play. According to Lisa, the offense, which usually finds a rhythm, was stunted and struggled to keep drives alive. Penalties and inconsistencies plagued the team, with mistakes derailing any progress made down the field.

Special teams also had a rough day, with a missed field goal that could have proven disastrous if not for the defense’s resilience. Lisa pointed out that Nebraska’s kicker drilled a 54-yarder with ease, making Ohio State’s struggles from shorter distances all the more frustrating.

The offensive line, especially, came under fire. Cory and Lisa agreed it just wasn’t their day. Will Howard’s interception, the penalties from Igbinoghene, and the overall inconsistency left fans exasperated. The Buckeyes’ offense looked shaky, which raises concerns with crucial matchups on the horizon.

The Ugly

When it comes to ugly moments, Cory and Lisa didn’t hold back. Zen Mikowski, filling in on the offensive line, had a rough outing. He struggled in pass protection, with Cory observing that Howard had no time to make plays because Mikowski was constantly beat. Lisa added that without Jimmy Simmons, Ohio State’s offense seemed restricted, closing off a portion of the playbook.

Cory’s biggest frustration, however, lay with Ohio State’s kicking game. Not only did the Buckeyes miss a critical field goal, but the miss was so far off-target that it almost defied logic. With games against Penn State and potentially high-stakes playoff scenarios ahead, the kicking game will have to improve.

Looking Forward

The win against Nebraska was a tough one, but Cory reminded fans that sometimes the path to the playoffs includes gritty, “ugly” wins. However, both he and Lisa agree that Ohio State needs to turn things around quickly, especially with games against Penn State and Indiana on the horizon. The offense must find consistency, and the kicking game must improve if Ohio State is to make a serious playoff run.

In Cory’s words, “You can gut out a win like this once in a while, but if the Buckeyes want a chance at the playoffs, they can’t play like this.”

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