Argue all you want about Ohio State needing outstanding performances to impress the selection committee, but the most important thing for the Buckeyes to stay alive in the College Football Playoff conversation is to just win.

Saturday’s game in East Lansing wasn’t pretty. The bout between No. 18 Michigan State and No. 10 Ohio State was a tradition B1G, cold-weather, black-and-blue type of matchup. The field position battle was key. Special teams play was critical. Nothing about the Buckeyes’ 26-6 win was glamorous.

But it was a win.

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Ohio State punter Drue Chrisman was the undisputed MVP, pinning the Spartans inside their 10-yard line multiple times throughout the game, several punts landed right at the goal line. He finished the day with nine punts for 340 yards, averaging 37.8 yards per boot. He pinned MSU inside its own 20-yard line on six occasions.

Those aren’t exactly the stats that will catch the eye of the selection committee. Neither will just 350 yards of total offense. But you know what? those aren’t the numbers that matter. What’s most important was Ohio State’s 26 to Michigan State’s 6. The Buckeyes 9-1 record is also pretty significant, too.

Saturday’s victory in East Lansing guaranteed a winner-take-all season finale in Columbus when the Buckeyes take on Michigan, a la 2016. Well, assuming Maryland doesn’t pull off a colossal upset next weekend.

As much flack as Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes have received over the last three weeks, they’re still in the conversation entering the final weekend of the season. Beat Michigan and win the B1G title, and it’s going to be awfully difficult to keep them out of the College Football Playoff for a second straight season.

Yes, style points matter in college football, especially when splitting hairs between a few similar teams. None of that matters without wins, though.

So continue to argue about how Ohio State’s win over Michigan State wasn’t impressive. Talk all you want about the Buckeyes relying on special teams to get a victory over an underwhelming Spartans squad.

The bottom line is that the Buckeyes are alive in the B1G race and the College Football Playoff picture. There’s still plenty of time to work into that top four.