Ohio State needs to start rooting for archrival Michigan. Here’s why.

It was a victory for the ages. And yet a win that was, as ESPN analyst Danny Kanell put it, “inconsequential.” Welcome to the College Football Playoff. Every game (only sort of) counts. All of Chicago is excused for not knowing what transpired in the Ohio State-Penn State “whiteout” game Saturday night. Perhaps you were kissing your honey in front of the Wrigley Field marquee or shouting, “Four more wins!” Here’s what you missed: Ohio State was invincible (78-0) since 2004 with a fourth-quarter lead of at least two touchdowns. Now the Buckeyes are 78-1. Penn State rallied from 21-7 down, taking the lead on a scoop-and-score following a blocked field goal. The Nittany Lions completed eight passes all night (versus 15 incompletions) but controlled the line of scrimmage and won, 24-21. As recently as three years ago, the loss would have crippled the Buckeyes. The BCS system allowed for two teams to play for the title – in essence, the SEC champ versus Opponent TBD. Now we have four. I dig the playoff, don’t get me wrong. But every decision has consequences, and turning a victory important enough to cause a rioting in State College into an “inconsequential” result…

Continue Reading: Ohio State needs to start rooting for archrival Michigan. Here’s why.