Paul Finebaum putting his chips on Ohio State to have a November to remember

Ohio State has started November undefeated the last two seasons but ended the month with painful losses to Michigan both years, the first after a second-half letdown at home and the second in heartbreaking fashion on the road.

The Buckeyes will enter November with a loss this time around. They’ll also come into the month having just survived a scare from Nebraska in Ohio Stadium.

“He’s counting his lucky stars, because had they lost that game, and they weren’t far from it, he could have possibly been out of the playoffs by next Saturday night,” Paul Finebaum said of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on “The Matt Barrie Show” Sunday.

“Again, I’m giving you the worst case scenario at Penn State. But this is a [Buckeyes] team that — I mean, I was convinced they had more talent than anybody and were probably the best team before the season. And then I’m getting really squeamish about that.”

Ohio State lost a one-point thriller on the road to now-top-ranked Oregon in Week 7. The Buckeyes went toe-to-toe with the Ducks offensively but cratered on the other side of the ball, allowing 496 yards and 34 points.

The Buckeyes were off in Week 8 and went back to the drawing board defensively. Back in the Horseshoe for a Week 9 game versus Nebraska, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles delivered a creative game plan, and his unit answered the bell, holding the Cornhuskers to just 273 yards and 17 points.

This time, though, the Ohio State offense was the weak link, in large part because of a struggling offensive line and, in turn, a non-existent run game.

Quarterback Will Howard had to orchestrate a game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, and the Buckeyes’ defense clinched the one-score victory with an interception in the final minute and a half of play.

Even so, when Barrie asked Paul Finebaum Sunday which college football team he believes is “best set up for a November to remember,” Finebaum picked Ohio State.

“I’m going to put my chips on Ohio State, because they may very well have two of the bigger wins [by the end of November], even though one has been heavily discounted,” Finebaum said. “The Penn State game is now paramount. We all gather around, and it’s now the new game of the year. And no matter how bad Michigan is, you and I both know the eyes will be on that game because of what Ryan Day has not been able to do.

“So I think he could really stamp his mark, even with that loss at Oregon. If he survives this next four or five weeks unscathed, he’s going to be sitting in an incredible position.”

Following its top-four showdown at No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Ohio State still has Purdue, Northwestern, No. 13 Indiana and Michigan left on its schedule.

Not only would wins over Penn State and Indiana be resume builders, but a long-awaited triumph over the Wolverines would exorcise some demons in Columbus.

That said, the Buckeyes will have to play a lot better than they did this past weekend if they’re to complete that clean sweep and have a November to remember like Finebaum discussed.