ANN ARBOR, Mich.-- Consider the alternative.
Reverse the score of Ohio State's 42-13 win over Michigan on Saturday, in a game that was the No. 8 team in the nation vs. the No. 10 team in the nation, a game that flip-flopped betting favorites during the week, and imagine how the world would view Ohio State football right now.
Then go inside the Ohio State locker room after last week's 17-14 loss to Michigan State and ask if that was possible. Ask if the Buckeyes could have arrived in Michigan Stadium like they didn't want to be there.