COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State 21, Nebraska 17.

Here’s your final score as the Huskers almost – VERY almost – pulled off one of the most gigantic and game-changing upset victories in Nebraska football history.

Instead, the No. 4 team in the country responded to Nebraska’s go-ahead fourth-quarter drive with a touchdown of their own as the Buckeyes (6-1 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) got off the mat just in time.

The Huskers (5-3, 2-3) took a 17-14 lead with 10:47 left in the fourth quarter, but Ohio State responded with a 75-yard scoring drive for a 21-17 lead at 6: 03 and defended the win after finishing with two defensive stops.

Since the game is final, this is usually where I can make my preliminary judgments: An immediate analysis and reaction regarding the Skers.

This time, I decided to go a little longer and dig a little deeper, with five thoughts on Nebraska’s narrow loss on Saturday. Actually six thoughts if you listen to the hidden bonus track at the end (i.e. if you read my final thought in the last paragraph).

Nebraska’s hopes of becoming officially bowl-eligible and securing a postseason berth were delayed, not denied, as the Huskers took their hits but then bounced back against the juggernaut Buckeyes – and will now prepare for a prime opportunity to secure a bowl bid against UCLA (2-5, 1-4) next Saturday in Lincoln.