Ohio State has passed its toughest tests before The Game at the end of the regular season.

The Buckeyes won consecutive road games against Wisconsin and Rutgers and now return home for a two-game stretch against Michigan State and Minnesota.

The goal over the next two weeks is simple: remain undefeated heading into the regular-season finale versus Michigan. Before that, though, Michigan State is next for the Buckeyes. They are a 31.5-point favorite over the Spartans, who ended a six-game losing streak last week with a win against Nebraska.

Working Emeka Egbuka back into the offense
Before the season, Egbuka had never missed a game of football. No matter how much he was hurting, he always found a way to get back onto the field. Then he injured his ankle Oct. 7 against Maryland and missed the next three games.

Speaking with the media Wednesday, Egbuka said he came close to playing against Penn State. He didn’t practice that week, instead choosing to rehab the entire time, often getting to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at 7 a.m. and leaving at 9 p.m.

He said he was available for Penn State in an emergency situation, but Ohio State didn’t use him.

Egbuka didn’t make much of an impact in his return last week. Rutgers played a Cover 2 shell with two high safeties most of the game, which made it difficult for many vertical routes.