COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It was a gutsy performance when the Buckeyes needed it the most.
Clinging to a one-touchdown lead, No. 4 Ohio State used an 11-play final drive, consisting solely of runs, to drain the clock and clinch a 20-13 victory over No. 3 Penn State on the road. The game was the type of bounce back that OSU wanted less than a month after losing to Oregon on the road and putting on an underwhelming offensive production a week ago.
"To finish that drive the way we did, I think it's going to springboard our physicality, our toughness as we head into the back half of the season," head coach Ryan Day said.
The win is Ohio State's first over a ranked opponent this season and Day's third top-five win since he took the helm in 2019. And it couldn't have come at a better time as the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season are unveiled on Tuesday night.
"We were at a crossroads. This was a big game for us. We didn't want to publicly say that but we said that behind closed doors," Day said. "For our guys to get this win, it's going to go a long way. Guys came back on this team for a reason. Win the rivalry game, win the Big Ten championship, win the national championship."
Here's a look at what the victory means for the Buckeyes moving forward.
All of Ohio State's goals remain in reach, including a Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes are in the driver's seat to make the title contest in Indianapolis, as long as they win from here on out.
Still unbeaten after a 47-10 win over Michigan State, No. 13 Indiana remains the toughest remaining opponent on paper but of course, no one is overlooking the regular season finale against Michigan as the Buckeyes look to end a three-game losing streak.
Should OSU avoid any upsets and take care of business against the Hoosiers on Nov. 23, you can count on a rematch between the Buckeyes and Oregon on Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
After both Georgia and Oregon earned wins on Saturday, the Buckeyes appear locked to take Penn State's spot at No. 3 in the next Associated Press poll. And Ohio State should be no lower than third in the first set of CFP rankings that will be released at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
The most important rankings will be the one released on Dec. 8 after the conference championship games. With Oregon and Ohio State set for a collision course in Indianapolis, the Big Ten title game will likely determine who will receive a first round bye and who will have to play on Dec. 21 on campus.
As far as other league teams trying to make the playoffs, the Nittany Lions are still on track to receive an at-large bid despite the loss while Indiana looks to be the fourth Big Ten team to make the 12-team playoff.
