Social Reactions: There Are No Bad Wins, but There Are Definitely Some That Are Less Satisfying Than Others

Ah, an old favorite! "A win that feels like a loss," I've missed you! You're a part of our collective fan consciousness because damn: if Ohio State isn't winning every game by 30, that means the team has fallen into ruin and Ohio State football will never win anything of significance ever again.

I guess I shouldn't try to handwave away the very real issues on the offensive line, but also I can't help but feel a little nostalgic flashing back to "wins" like San Diego State and Bowling Green in 2003, San Diego State again in 2005, Illinois in 2006, Akron in 2007, Ohio in 2008, Illinois again in 2010, Northern Illinois in 2015, Maryland in 2018, and Nebraska in 2021. Bad wins in otherwise successful seasons that still managed to make us feel like the sky was falling.

There's probably like 50 others I'm forgetting but none of those seasons ended in disaster and I doubt that'll be the case in 2024. I know that's not the real standard here but hey: at least Michigan still looks pretty bad!

THE BUCKEYES

I'm not sure the world sees how many big time plays Jordan Hancock makes.
— Chimdi Chekwa (@ChimChek) October 26, 2024

Just win the game. Thats whats most important right now. We have a lot to fix, but keep the season alive
— Tyvis Powell (@1Tyvis) October 26, 2024

I feel bad for defensive players man
— Johnnie L. Dixon III (@YoungKing_JD5) October 26, 2024

Welcome back 2014 National Champions pic.twitter.com/WAZTfd5UlP
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 26, 2024

THANKS, MARCUS

Has anyone pointed out Ohio State is bowl eligible?????
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) October 26, 2024

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

WIN COLUMNS

Jeremiah Smith ties Cris Carter for the most recieving touchdowns (8) as a freshmen in school history #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/3JdTTNp2mv
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) October 27, 2024

That's another homecoming W for @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/TVxkpTDpmz
— Ohio State Alumni (@OhioStateAlumni) October 26, 2024

WIN COLUMNS

Will Howard connected with Carnell Tate down the middle for a 40-yard touchdown pass to give Ohio State a 7-0 lead #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/9zRgrBgZGf
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) October 26, 2024

Ohio State takes the lead, 21-17, with 6:04 to play on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Will Howard to Quinshon Judkins. pic.twitter.com/kzzHzgH7Do
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 26, 2024

DENIED

No. 4 @OhioStateFB turns Nebraska away on 4th & goal. #B1GFootball on @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/vBV5yTCPOL
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 26, 2024

Ohio States offensive drives in the second half:

Three and out
INT
Three and out
Three and out

10 plays, 23 total yards
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) October 26, 2024

Spent all that money in the offseason but didn't do squat in the portal or in development at the offensive tackle spots to build some depth. Seems like maybe that was a bad idea.
— Chris Lauderback (@Chris11W) October 26, 2024

JORDAN HANCOCK pic.twitter.com/fvmJRFzjPa
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 26, 2024

Ryan Day is not happy with the targeting call as Ohio State fans begin to toss water bottles onto the field calling for a reversal. pic.twitter.com/nzim8SmG62
— Stephanie Otey (@StephOtey) October 26, 2024

OSU finished with 3 sacks and 13 (!) tackles for loss. 3 of those TFLs were by Cody Simon, who also led with 8 tackles.
— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) October 26, 2024

Will Howard on his excitement for Ohio State-Penn State:

"Stoked. Stoked. I cannot wait," he said. "It's gonna be a homecoming for me. I grew up a Penn State fan. I wanted to go there my whole life. They didn't think I was good enough. I guess we'll see next week if I was."
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) October 26, 2024

Carmen after Ohio State escapes at home against Nebraska pic.twitter.com/R8a3dbPfcg
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) October 26, 2024

Every single game we play reminds me that this generation of Ohio State fans would never have survived 2002
— Anand Nanduri (@NanduriNFL) October 26, 2024