ESPN College Football

Although the loss was a step backward for Ohio State's national title hopes, it might not have been as damaging as what happened elsewhere in the Big Ten on Saturday. Michigan and Iowa also lost nonconference games, leaving the now No. 9 Buckeyes as the Big Ten's only top-10 squad.

Five teams have reached the BCS title game with one loss, but they all overcame it on the strength of at least one high-quality win during the season. OSU needs a signature victory to get back in the hunt. Unfortunately, they can't get it without a little cooperation from their rivals.

The next-highest ranked team in the Big Ten is currently Purdue, but the Boilermakers miss the Buckeyes on this year's schedule rotation, so Ohio State must hope that someone else in the conference rises to the top. If not, the Buckeyes may have to set their sights somewhere other than Pasadena this season.

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