RYAN DAY

With two-year starter C.

TCU is third in the College Football Playoff rankings going into its last game before final four teams are set.

Matt Rhule's eight-year contract as Nebraska's football coach is valued at $74 million.

The Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes are prepared to square off in the game of the century II for a chance to represent the east division in the Big Ten Championship, remain undefeated, and have bragging rights for the next 365 days.

Dallan Hayden scored three touchdowns in the second half of No. 2 Ohio State's 43-30 victory over Maryland to set up a monumental matchup of unbeatens next weekend between the Buckeyes and rival Michigan.

Michigan won last year’s Big Ten title game after a four-win streak in that showcase by the Buckeyes.

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Clemson has taken steps to keep football coach Dabo Swinney around for a while longer.

Coach Ryan Day offered no apologies for No. 2 Ohio State’s low-scoring, “clunky” win over No. 5 Notre Dame.

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Alabama coach Nick Saban is getting a new eight-year contract worth at least $93.6 million, eclipsing the recent megadeal of Southeastern Conference rival Kirby Smart.

The Big Ten's next television contracts will not include a deal with ESPN.

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren had a chance to take a victory lap this week at Big Ten media day.

Ohio State plans to hike Ryan Day’s annual salary to $9.5 million as part of a two-year contract extension that will put him among the nation’s highest-paid college football coaches.

College football coaches are pushing for changes to NCAA rules to help stabilize rosters depleted by transfers.

Former teammates and coaches paid tribute to former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins during an emotional memorial service a little less than two weeks after the 24-year-old was killed on a South Florida highway.

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No. 2 Ohio State was on the receiving end of a 42-27 thumping by No. 6 Michigan that ended the Buckeyes’ eight-game winning streak in the Big Ten’s biggest rivalry, along with their streak of four straight conference title game appearances — all of which they have won.

Hassan Haskins scored five touchdowns and Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks, helping No. 6 Michigan finally beat No. 2 Ohio State 42-27 to give Jim Harbaugh his first win as a coach against the rivals.

The Game is going to be a game again, or at least that appears to the case before No. 2 Ohio State plays No. 6 Michigan.

Jim Harbaugh shook up his coaching staff after his contract at Michigan was reworked last winter.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

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The stakes will be as high as they can be when No. 7 Michigan State battles No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

The Big Ten East race is coming down to the wire the last two weeks of the season and the results also could shake up the College Football Playoff picture.

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Ohio State has righted itself after an early loss to Oregon by winning four straight games in mostly blowout fashion.

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The ground-oriented, weather-proof offense has long been preferred by Big Ten teams.

Alabama looked beatable.

Jim Harbaugh seems to have his best running game in seven seasons at Michigan, rotating two speedy and powerful backs behind an offensive line that has been opening huge holes.

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New quarterbacks are leading last year's College Football Playoff teams.

Nine of the 14 Big Ten football teams appear set at quarterback heading into the fall.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day says the quarterback competition featuring three candidates will carry over into fall camp.

From start to finish, the specter of COVID-19 loomed large over the 2020 college football season and the national championship game was no exception. The game, played in the Miami Dolphins’ stadium, drew the sort of turnout typically found in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game. But the challenges college football faced in navigating the pandemic were unique. The Pac-12 and Big Ten postponed their seasons before reversing course, and Ohio State played only eight games. It was a made-for-TV season that ends with an asterisk, and college football now looks toward the 2021 season, which is a big question mark.

Now the question is will he be able to play in the title game Monday night against Ohio State? “I think you absolutely have to prepare as if he's going to play,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs said. Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson posted photos on Twitter showing her visiting with coach Ryan Day and the team in the school's indoor practice facility. WEST COAST EXPORTSThe West Coast will be well represented in the national championship game among the players, if not the football programs themselves. Alabama All-America tailback Najee Harris, Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave and Buckeyes All-America guard Wyatt Davis are all from California.

Ohio State won 49-28. AL.com reported that Ohio State has been in contact with CFP officials about possible player availability problems that could force the game to be delayed. For Ohio State, though, it has been an especially bumpy road. The Big Ten initially canceled the fall football season in August, only to reverse course in September. Ohio State played its final regular-season game and the Big Ten championship game missing more than 20 players for each.

Ohio State won 49-28. “This team, this program, we persevered through so much,” Ohio State running back Trey Sermon said Monday. In addition to Sarkisian's imminent departure, Alabama has to take care of some Heisman Trophy business while preparing for the matchup with Ohio State. Ohio State (7-0) won that meeting en route to the national title. OHIO STATEOverview: Like many teams, Ohio State faced major obstacles during the pandemic.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day hugs quarterback Justin Fields after their win against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. Ohio State won 49-28. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he expects Justin Fields to play in the College Football Playoff national championship game against Alabama after the quarterback was banged up during the semifinals. Buckeyes running back Trey Sermon took Fields' place on the call. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Ohio State won 49-28. 11, where Clemson coach Dabo Swinney placed Ohio State on his ballot in the final regular-season coaches' poll. Ohio State beat the Crimson Tide in the semifinals on the way to the 2014 national championship. “This performance by this team I hope will go down in Ohio State history as a landmark victory,” Day said. Ohio State did not give details about their absences, but all four had played in the Big Ten championship two weeks ago.

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2020, file photo, Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell waits to lead his team onto the field for an NCAA football game against Georgia State in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)Coastal Carolina’s Jamey Chadwell is The Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading the Chanticleers to a surprising, near-perfect season. UCF’s Scott Frost was AP coach of the year in 2017 and Gary Patterson won the first of his two AP awards with TCU in 2009 when the Horned Frogs were competing in the Mountain West. Chadwell came to Coastal Carolina in 2017 as offensive coordinator for former coach Joe Moglia after four successful season at FCS Charleston Southern. ___VotingJamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina - 88 points (16 first-place votes).

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shortened schedule and all, Ohio State is headed back to the College Football Playoff and a familiar foe will be waiting. Barta, the Iowa athletic director, said “there was no dissension in the room” over putting Ohio State in. Clemson coach Dabo Sweeney said he wasn't surprised Ohio State got in with fewer games “because that’s what the committee has demonstrated over the past few weeks. We all know Ohio State is an incredibly talented team.”The loss to Clemson in the playoff last year landed hard and lingered for the Buckeyes, Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on ESPN. It'll be different this time with less than two weeks between the conference championship game and the semifinal.

The school said Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, the players have decided to opt out of any potential bowl game. The IIHF also said two members of Sweden’s team staff tested positive. The network did not say if Michaels had tested positive or had been in contact with someone who had tested positive. The Huskies said in a statement that no one from their program was in close contact with the individual who tested positive at Seton Hall. Ferentz is the 23rd FBS coach to reveal publicly that he tested positive for the virus.

“I could be here all day talking about how different this is,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on the Big Ten Network. As of late Wednesday afternoon, Alabama had signed five of them and was expected to land at least one more. Even with the coach's future still to be determined, day signing was OK for the Wolverines. On the positive side for the Wolverines on signing day: In-state running back Donovan Edwards, a four-star, signed with Michigan. Smith had indicated his final decision would come down to a choice between LSU, Alabama, Georgia and Miami.

3 Ohio State to play in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 19 against No. 3 Ohio State to take on No. Ohio State finished the regular season with only five games after Michigan had to pull out of Saturday's showdown because of COVID-19 issues. Ohio State — No. Though Ohio State is already in the top four of the CFP rankings, a win against Northwestern could be important in seeding.

Michigan canceled its annual rivalry game at Ohio State on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, because of the COVID-19 outbreak within the Wolverines football program. “Our players, they want to play,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is one of the most important rivalries in all of sports,” the Big Ten said in a statement. He also said if Ohio State does not play for the conference championship, it would be “great” to play the rivalry game against Michigan on Dec. 19. Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis said the team works all year with the goal of beating Michigan.

3 Ohio State banked some style points during its rout of Michigan State, but the next step toward any kind of championship for the Buckeyes this season could be out of their control. Ohio State has had its own problems with the coronavirus. Among those taken out of action was coach Ryan Day, who had to stay home and watch the Michigan State game on TV. So would another loss to the Buckeyes, who have won the rivalry game in each of Harbaugh's first five years at Michigan. Day said he was proud of how the Buckeyes moved past the rough, uncertain week to dominate Michigan State.

3 Ohio State to a 52-12 win over Michigan State on Saturday. Michigan State (2-4, 2-4) was coming off a win over another undefeated team — Northwestern — but the Spartans were overmatched Saturday. “Outings like this are not acceptable, and I don't care who we're playing," Michigan State coach Mel Tucker said. They punted on fourth-and-1 in the first quarter — and again on fourth down in Ohio State territory early in the third. Michigan State wraps up the regular season at Penn State.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Indiana during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. 3 Ohio State is playing as much as who will be play playing for the Buckeyes this weekend. Ohio State seems to be on track to play at Michigan State on Saturday after a spike in COVID-19 cases in the program forced a cancellation of last week's road trip to Illinois. If Ohio State has one more game canceled it would be unable to meet the Big Ten's minimum game played to be eligible for the conference title game. UNDER THE RADARNebraska at PurdueNeither team is in the Big West race, but the interesting thing is the Boilermakers (2-3) have won two straight against the Cornhuskers (1-4).

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Fields threw two touchdown passes to Chris Olave, with Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson and Jeremy Ruckert also recipients of scoring passes. Wilson caught six passes for 104 yards for Ohio State, and Fields completed passes to nine receivers. They battled Ohio State but couldn't climb out of the hole they dug early. Ohio State: The Buckeyes were sloppy and got stuck in the mud at times, but Fields can make things happen.

What happens if an outbreak hits a team’s quarterback room? “Obviously this year there’s some things that will be unique,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said Monday without specifically discussing his players’ test results. “I think there certainly were those questions after the decision was made,” Ohio State team physician Jim Borchers said last week. And that’s all we really paid attention to.”Big Ten protocols say that athletes who test positive through point-of-contact daily testing must take a polymerase chain reaction test to confirm the first result. While Wisconsin awaits answers, Big Ten teams continue reminding quarterbacks about the potential risks inherent in this unusual season.

Ohio State was a close No. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State coach Ryan Day is pushing the Big Ten for answers about when the conference plans to play a football season. Ohio State was No. That’s the hard part.”The Big Ten announced on Aug. 11 it was postponing its fall football season. Ohio State and other schools already are suffering financially because of the decision.

Big Ten coaches, athletic directors and medical personnel are working on multiple plans for staging a football season including one that would have the league kicking off as soon as Thanksgiving weekend. The person spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten was not making public its efforts to have a football season that starts in either late fall or winter. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported the Big Ten was considering a possible Thanksgiving start to the season. The Big Ten announced on Aug. 11 it was postponing its fall football season because of concerns about playing during the COVID-19 pandemic. If they are met, thats when theyll get back, the person told AP.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. Ryan Day is doing his best to make sure second-ranked Ohio State stays sharp heading into Saturday's Big Ten road game against Rutgers without standout defensive end Chase Young. LINE: Ohio State -52.5In this week's College Football Playoff rankings, Ohio State became the first team in the CFP era to fall from the No. Ohio State announced Wednesday that Young will be held out against Rutgers, which has lost 18 consecutive Big Ten games, but return for the Nov. 23 home game against Penn State. ABOUT OHIO STATE (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten)The Buckeyes high-octane offense (No. PREDICTION: Ohio State 63, Rutgers 7

2 Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) isnt your ordinary team. Oddsmakers have made Ohio State a 51-point favorite, which according to some bookmakers is the biggest in a Big Ten game. Ohio State coach Ryan Day had several players available at the press conference, including backup quarterback Chris Chugunov. So, it is understandable Ohio State is a 51-point favorite against a team that last won a Big Ten game in November 2017. The Ohio State defense has allowed points on 14 of 115 opponent drives this season and only three rushing touchdowns.

- Sixth-ranked Ohio State will be matched up Saturday night at Nebraska in a Big Ten test against a quarterback that coach Ryan Day chose not to recruit. LINE: Ohio State -17.5Ohio State goes into its second conference road trip of the season riding a 10-game overall winning streak, second longest in the country behind Clemson. While Martinez has played well for Nebraska, beginning last year as a freshman, Ohio State is none the worse with Justin Fields as a first-year starting quarterback. 6 Ohio State since upending No. PREDICTION: Ohio State 49, Nebraska 20More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

5 Ohio State and analysts are predicting big things from first-year coach Ryan Day entering the Buckeyes' season opener against visiting Florida Atlantic on Saturday. LINE: Ohio State -27.5Day's first highly anticipated personnel decision came last week when he named Georgia transfer Justin Fields the starting quarterback. The ubertalented sophomore came to Ohio State last spring and flashed enough dual-threat capability through fall camp to be handed the reins to the offense, but matching first-round NFL draft pick Dwayne Haskins' production will be difficult. Senior TE Harrison Bryant might be Florida Atlantic's go-to player on offense after finishing 2018 with 45 receptions for 662 yards and four touchdowns. PREDICTION: Ohio State 59, Florida Atlantic 17More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.