26. whew.

I had fun this morning, posting a stream of dumb Michigan jokes on my Facebook page.

I had fun for a bit in the third quarter, when it looked like Ohio State’s defense had settled down and the offense would continue scoring on most of its possessions.

The first half of the Michigan game? I’m not sure I’d call that fun. Fourth quarter? Fun, in a masochistic sort of way.

Michigan’s two-point conversion attempt? If relief equals fun, then sure — fun.

I’m proud that Ohio State found a way to win a game that it shouldn’t have today. But there is a lot of stuff to figure out before Saturday’s title game against Michigan State — overall passing defense, defending screen plays, improving the consistency of our passing game. Oh, and maybe how to not throw punches at members of the opposing team.

But. That’s two in a row over Michigan. That’s a rivalry-game win on the road. That’s the nation’s longest undefeated streak. And that feels pretty good.

* * *

Speaking of fun: Did you catch the end of the Auburn-Alabama game?

That upset could — should? — open a door for Ohio State that as recently as a few hours ago looked to be deadbolted, barricaded and boarded up.

Look. There’s still a huge game — and a tough one — ahead on Saturday. But let’s consider just a couple of things:

• No undefeated major-conference team has ever been jumped in the BCS rankings by a one-loss team.
• If going undefeated was easy, there would be more than two AQ teams to do it this year.
• As a response to the “Ohio State Doesn’t Belong” Chorus that has already started: Ohio State was favored today by 16.5. Alabama was favored by 10. We play the games for a reason.