Beating Ohio State twice in a row is easier said than done

Ohio State is not a team that often loses, but when they do, they don't do it twice in a row to the same team. Looking back over the past two decades, there have only been five teams able to best the Buckeyes in back-to-back seasons, and it hasn't happened since 2009. Ohio State hasn't lost to a Big Ten team back-to-back since 2004. That's crazy. Virginia Tech has a chance to do it next season, but the oddsmakers don't think too highly of their odds, marking them as early 19 point home dogs.

Here's a look at some of the teams that have been able to pull off the improbable feat.

USC - 2008 and 2009

The Trojans were the latest team to beat Ohio State twice in a row. In 2008, USC crushed the Buckeyes 35-3 and dominated on both sides of the ball. With an injured Beanie Wells unable to play for Ohio State, Trojan quarterback Mark Sanchez threw four touchdown passes to pace the blowout Led by Jim Tressel, the rematch in 2009 was much closer, but ultimately disappointing when the Buckeyes lost again 18-15.

Wisconsin - 2003 and 2004

With Craig Krenzel at the helm, the Buckeyes lost 17-10 to the Badgers in 2003, followed by a 24-13 loss with a freshman Justin Zwick in at quarterback in 2004. Wisconsin was coached by Barry Alverez during both '03 and '04 seasons, and is currently the school's Athletic Director. If he sounds familiar, he played interim head coach during the 2015 Outback Bowl. I like to think that the 59-0 win against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship was to make up for the two year winning streak a decade ago.

South Carolina - 2000 and 2001

The Buckeyes met the Gamecocks at the Outback Bowl two years in a row. Back in the heyday of SEC speed, South Carolina proved to be too fast for Ohio State to stop. The first match-up resulted in a 24-7 loss and Ohio State head coach John Cooper being fired following the game. Jim Tressel had an immediate opportunity for revenge as he found himself in the same match-up a year later, only to fall to the Gamecocks in a slightly less embarrassing 31-28 defeat.

Michigan - 1995, 1996 and 1997; 1999 and 2000

Ohio State didn't always dominate the rivalry that consumes both schools; during the John Cooper coaching era, there were many back-to-back losses to that team up North. Despite the Wolverines winning streak over the Buckeyes, the games were always close and none were decided by more than 12 points. Let's not talk about this era. It's depressing.

Michigan State - 1998 and 1999

The Buckeyes early disdain for the whole state of Michigan and head coach Nick Saban goes back before the turn of the century. In 1998, Michigan State, led by Saban was the only loss of the season for Ohio State; the Spartans were able to squeak by 28-24 to secure the win. The 1999 season was difficult for the Buckeyes, finishing only 6-6 and 3-5 in the conference. This would be Saban's last year coaching for the Spartans and the Big Ten, and he took one more shot at Ohio State with a huge win 23-7.

When the Buckeyes fell to Virginia Tech early in the 2014 season, the Hokies were immediately added to the "revenge board" that I assume hangs in the Columbus training facility. That line may be at 19 points now, but I'm sure fans are hoping for a much bigger blowout after hearing "BUT VIRGINIA TECH" for so long last year. If history is any indication, Ohio State's probably going to get a win, one way or another.