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There are two ways to look at Ohio State's win over the Badgers.

Mr. Glass half-empty Late in the third quarter, the Buckeyes were down seven at home to a team with no running back. What right do they have to decide to show up and play football so late in the game?

Mr. Glass half-full Midway through the third quarter Ohio State and Wisconsin were tied 10-10 and stuck at 195 yards each. After that, the Buckeyes stole the show, outscoring the Badgers 28-7 and outgaining them by roughly double the yards. Who cares when it happens in the game as long as it does?

I don't know about you but this has been a glass mostly full team all year so I think it's best if we give them the benefit of the doubt. When one sifts through the stats of this game, there are three numbers that stick out as keys to Ohio State's success: 169, 166 and 10.

169 The number of rushing yards produced by a flu-ridden Chris Wells. That gives him more than 1,100 for the year and I really hope that shuts up anyone who doubts that this kid is special and one of the best backs in the country. For the second straight home game, Tressel has given Beanie the ball and said "here you go, now win us this game." He delivered, end of story.

166 The number of passing yards produced by Todd Boeckman. Granted, it wasn't the best day on the field for the 23-yard-old QB but it was amazing to watch the first-year starter keep his poise and play through the rough patches. As Dory told Marlin in Finding Nemo, "just keep swimming..."

10 This is my favorite stat of the day. The Buckeyes defense shut down the Badgers non-existent rushing attack and then spent the better part of the day in the Wisconsin backfield, with 10 sacks. It wasn't exactly a thing of beauty as our linebackers and DBs occasionally forgot how to cover receivers. No matter, the D-line had great fun wreaking havoc all over the field.

With this victory, Ohio State reclaimed the record for the number of consecutive Big Ten wins (Michigan heldd it the past 15 years). The Buckeyes also move one game closer to something that seemed impossible at the beginning of the year: Another trip to the BCS National Championship Game.

Don't be surprised if the Illinois game looks a lot like this Wisconsin game. It probably won't be pretty but Ohio State will win it. Unlike the Badgers, the Illini have a rushing attack that comes not only from a running back but also its quarterback position. They also have a defense chock full of athletes. The biggest concern from them is their bench, from which head coach Ron Zook makes questionable decisions that put his team in bad situations.

After that, Ohio State's season will rest in the same place as Michigan's season. A quick update, Michigan's meteoric rise from oblivion is ongoing thanks to Michigan State's time-honored tradition for imploding in tight games.

It is very likely an undefeated Ohio State squad will wander into the Big House to face a 9-2 Wolverine team that predicted as earlier as the spring that it would beat the Buckeyes. Should be an interesting two weeks of football.

P.S. Way to go Midshipmen!

Tags: chris wells, ohio state football, todd boeckman