Ohio State narrowly escaped a potential upset by Nebraska, securing a 21-17 victory with a crucial interception by Jordan Hancock in the final minutes. Despite the win, Ohio State's performance raised concerns, particularly with their ineffective run game, managing only 64 rushing yards against Nebraska's defense. Nebraska demonstrated significant improvements, maintaining a competitive edge as 26-point underdogs, and even leading in the fourth quarter before Ohio State's late rally. OSU's issues were compounded by the absence of key players like left tackle Josh Simmons, further straining their offensive line. The game's outcome has sparked criticism of Ohio State's head coach Ryan Day, with questions about whether the team can compete with top-tier programs. Nebraska's defensive resilience was notable, holding OSU to just one successful third-down conversion and limiting their high-powered offense.