It wasn't pretty. Ohio State's edge entering the fourth quarter in the Buckeyes' first five games: 21 points (Nebraska), 18 points (Penn State), 33 points (Rutgers), 21 points (Indiana) and 31 points (Michigan State).
Northwestern made them sweat. The Wildcats led 7-3 after one quarter. It was 10-6 at halftime. The Buckeyes led 13-10 after three quarters, but it felt like a flimsy advantage — Northwestern was one big play from moving ahead, sitting on the lead and pulling off a shocking upset in the Big Ten championship game.
Behind an inspired performance from running back Trey Sermon, OSU eventually wore down Northwestern's top-ranked defense and won 22-10 to cap an abbreviated but unbeaten regular season and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.