**“Ohio State’s Top 25 Games of the Quarter-Century, Part 4: Postseason Rout and Horseshoe Classics Kick Off the Top 10 Countdown”*

Over the past quarter-century, Ohio State football has forged a legacy of dominance, tradition, and unforgettable moments. With national championships, Heisman-caliber performances, and seismic clashes against storied rivals, the Buckeyes have provided their fans with no shortage of games that define greatness. As we delve into Part 4 of the Top 25 Games of the Quarter-Century, the countdown enters its most prestigious territory: the Top 10. This segment, covering games ranked 10 through 6, features postseason brilliance, spine-tingling drama under the lights of Ohio Stadium, and the type of heavyweight battles that elevate a program into college football royalty. These games aren’t just memorable—they are monumental.

At number 10 is the 2022 Rose Bowl, a wild offensive masterpiece that pitted Ohio State against the Utah Utes. Despite several high-profile opt-outs from the Buckeyes, including Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, what unfolded in Pasadena was nothing short of historic. Freshman wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. introduced himself to the nation with three touchdowns, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba delivered one of the greatest individual performances in bowl history, racking up 347 receiving yards and three scores. C.J. Stroud threw for 573 yards, leading Ohio State from behind in a shootout that saw both teams exchange touchdowns like heavyweight punches. With the game tied in the final minute, the Buckeyes drove into field goal range, and Noah Ruggles nailed a 19-yard field goal to seal a 48-45 win. It was a statement of offensive power and perseverance, a game that illustrated the relentless firepower of Ryan Day’s Buckeyes. Though not a playoff game, its stakes, setting, and sensational storyline made it a Rose Bowl for the ages.

Sliding into the number 9 slot is a clash that transformed narrative and identity: the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game. Facing a resurgent Wisconsin team led by Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon, the Buckeyes entered the game with their third-string quarterback, Cardale Jones, following a season-ending injury to J.T. Barrett. The national media doubted them. The playoff committee was unsure. What followed was 60 minutes of sheer demolition. Ohio State dominated in every phase, stunning the Badgers 59-0 and turning what was supposed to be a challenge into a coronation. Jones was flawless, Ezekiel Elliott gashed Wisconsin’s defense for 220 yards and two touchdowns, and the Silver Bullets suffocated Gordon and company. The emphatic shutout erased any remaining doubt from the playoff selection committee and punched Ohio State’s ticket to the inaugural College Football Playoff. More importantly, it proved that depth, coaching, and belief could conquer adversity—a hallmark moment in Urban Meyer’s tenure.

At number 8 is a bitter rivalry game that took Ohio State’s confidence and catapulted it into national contender status once more: the 2006 edition of The Game. When the top-ranked Buckeyes and second-ranked Wolverines met in Columbus, the stakes had never been higher. It was No. 1 vs. No. 2, with a trip to the national championship game on the line and the college football world watching. In a contest filled with drama, offense reigned supreme. Troy Smith, the eventual Heisman winner, threw for four touchdowns and solidified his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Buckeye history. Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez delivered huge plays, while Michigan countered with Mike Hart and Chad Henne in a relentless back-and-forth. The game finished 42-39 in favor of the Buckeyes, the closest margin in the rivalry since 1971. While some debated whether the two teams should meet again for the title, the win validated Ohio State’s position as the best in the land. More than a rivalry victory, this was a cultural moment, the apex of the Ten-Year War’s modern reincarnation.

Coming in at number 7 is the 2015 Sugar Bowl, the College Football Playoff semifinal between Ohio State and Alabama. A game that rewrote narratives and reestablished Ohio State’s place on the mountaintop, the Sugar Bowl was a showdown of titans. Alabama, led by Nick Saban and considered the gold standard of college football, was a heavy favorite. But Ohio State, still riding the momentum of its blowout Big Ten Championship win, was undeterred. With Cardale Jones starting just his second career game, the Buckeyes leaned on physical dominance. Ezekiel Elliott burst through Alabama’s vaunted defense for 230 yards, including an 85-yard dagger in the fourth quarter. The “Sugar Bowl Shuffle” play—featuring Evan Spencer’s reverse pass to Michael Thomas in the corner of the end zone—symbolized the creativity and fearlessness with which the Buckeyes approached the game. Defensive back Tyvis Powell’s interception of Blake Sims in the end zone sealed a 42-35 victory, and for many Ohio State fans, the win over Alabama was sweeter than the national title itself. It was more than a semifinal—it was a statement that the Buckeyes belonged among the elite and could beat anyone.

Finally, at number 6 is a spine-tingling, double-overtime thriller at Ohio Stadium: the 2016 game against Michigan. This was more than just The Game—it was a war. No. 2 Ohio State against No. 3 Michigan, with College Football Playoff implications in full bloom. From the opening snap, the contest was a ferocious defensive battle. Michigan’s front seven harassed J.T. Barrett, while Ohio State’s defense made life miserable for Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight. The tension was unbearable, the intensity palpable. Michigan held a 17-7 lead late in the third quarter before the Buckeyes clawed back. A fourth-quarter field goal and a clutch touchdown forced overtime. In the first extra frame, both teams traded field goals. Then came the defining moment: on fourth-and-1, Barrett lunged forward on a controversial spot that barely gave the Buckeyes a first down. One play later, Curtis Samuel sliced through Michigan’s defense for a game-winning touchdown that erupted the Horseshoe into bedlam. The 30-27 win preserved Ohio State’s playoff hopes and deepened Michigan’s despair. Urban Meyer’s now-iconic sideline reaction—arms spread wide, smile creeping across his face—captured the catharsis of victory in one of the most emotionally charged games in college football history.

These five games—from the glory of Pasadena to the heart-stopping moments in Columbus and New Orleans—represent the essence of Ohio State football in the modern era. They showcase the Buckeyes’ ability to rise in the face of adversity, execute on the biggest stages, and leave a trail of iconic moments in their wake. Each of these matchups transcended final scores and highlight reels—they became chapters in the broader story of a program defined by excellence, passion, and an unrelenting drive to be the best. As we edge closer to the top five games of the quarter-century, the bar is set impossibly high. But in Columbus, greatness isn’t just expected—it’s achieved, again and again, on the grandest stages and in the tensest moments. These five games are proof of that tradition, reminders of why the scarlet and gray continue to stand as one of the sport’s true titans.