ohio state was the preseason favorite to win the big ten, and were ranked sixth in the preseason ap poll. they began the year with six straight victories, including on the road against then-no. 14 oklahoma and in double overtime against then-no. 8 wisconsin, and rose to second in the ap poll. the buckeyes were upset by unranked penn state in a whiteout game at beaver stadium on october 22. the team won its remaining regular season games, and finished conference play with an overtime victory against arch-rival and third-ranked michigan. penn state and ohio state both finished with conference records of 8–1, and penn state advanced to the 2016 big ten football championship game due to the head-to-head victory. despite this, and penn state's victory over wisconsin in that game, ohio state was ranked ahead of penn state at third in the final college football playoff rankings, earning them a spot in the national semi-final fiesta bowl against second-ranked clemson. the buckeyes were shutout in that game 31–0 and ended the year at 11–2.