I'm not going to pretend our Buckeyes are looking like world-beaters right now.  I'm not going to pretend we don't all see the flaws on D, with the running game, with the O-Line, etc.  I'm not going to pretend that TTUN isn't playing very solid football and is posing a legitimate threat for what might be only the 4th time in the last decade.  Ohio State is not looking like a NC team and frankly, probably will not be - just as 47 of the past 50 teams have not been.

That said, this program has finished 1st or tied for 1st in the standings 11 of 12 straight years.  1968-1977 is the only stretch of consistent success that can even hold a candle to this run. This program has defeated TTUN in every meaningful season since 2003 (13-1 counting 2011).  This program is one of just three to interrupt Bama from an otherwise would-be 7-year title run.  This program's bowl wins the last 4 seasons include Alabama, ND, and USC and a .667 winning % over top 10 teams in bowl games since 2013 (Bama has a .625 bowl winning % during that same stretch btw).  Our program in the last 6 years (2012-2017) has had more consistent success and fewer losses than even Woody's best 6-year run. We are in the midst of an ongoing run of 6 straight years with 2 or fewer losses, with a finish atop the standings, and with a win over Michigan.  This team is sitting at 8-1 after the 2nd most tumultuous off-season since 2003.  The 1990s versions of ourselves would have been salivating for this!  The 1980s versions probably wouldn't have even believed it could be a reality. 

So my question amid this run is why the misery?

From the comments lately, you'd think this current season has been more miserable one to be a fan of the Buckeyes than 1999, 2000, or 2004.