COLUMBUS, Ohio — Generations of Ohio State and Michigan fans will debate the latest episode of one of college football’s most impassioned rivalries, a 30-27 Ohio State victory in two overtimes on Saturday, the Buckeyes’ fifth straight win over the Wolverines.

What if Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight — who generally played well, completing 23 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns — had not fumbled the ball away at the Ohio State 1-yard line early in the second half? What if Ohio State kicker Tyler Durbin, a senior who entered the game 16 of 16 on field-goal attempts this season, had not missed two attempts, one from 37 yards and one from 21?

And of course: What if, with Ohio State on a do-or-die fourth-and-1 play in the second overtime, the officials had not ruled that quarterback J. T. Barrett had made a first down?

In that last instance, the debatable first-down call stood up to a video review. And on the next play, halfback Curtis Samuel ran the ball in 15 yards for the win.