Ryan Day

The second meeting between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Wisconsin Badgers has the potential to be as lopsided as the first affair was on October 26. 

The Buckeyes enter Saturday's Big Ten Championship as the most dominant program in college football, and they will likely remain at No. 1 in Tuesday's College Football Playoff rankings. 

Their 31-point triumph over Wisconsin was one of many controlling performances, and unless Paul Chryst's team fixes the issues from the clash at Ohio Stadium, Ryan Day's squad could roll into the playoff. 

Wisconsin, who enters with four consecutive wins, can't qualify for the playoff, but an upset should push it ahead of Penn State in the rankings to earn a Rose Bowl or New Year's Six spot. 

                    

Breakdown

In the 38-7 October victory over Wisconsin, Ohio State produced 15 more first downs, outgained the Badgers 431-191 and forced a pair of turnovers. 

One of the many impressive aspects of the performance was limiting Jonathan Taylor to 52 rushing yards on 20 carries. 

The junior running back's only output under 75 yards occurred against the Buckeyes, and he has failed to hit triple digits on two other occasions.

But in the wins over Michigan State and Minnesota, Taylor contributed a pair of touchdowns, despite struggling to hit 100 yards. 

Ohio State comes into Indianapolis with the fourth-best rushing defense that allows 91.2 rushing yards per contest. 

Wisconsin ranks seventh with 96.6 rushing yards conceded per game, but it was gashed for 264 rushing yards the last time it met the Big Ten East winner. 

If J.K. Dobbins once again thrives versus the Badgers, the Buckeyes could cruise to the conference title behind him and Justin Fields' pocket production.

Dobbins only has 104 fewer yards than Taylor, and he totaled 368 yards on the ground with six touchdowns versus Penn State and Michigan. 

Four of the junior's 150-plus-yard showings occurred against Top 25 sides. He also torched Michigan State for 172 yards and a score to start October. 

If he performs at a similar level, Fields will not be forced to make every big play through the air, and he could take his time developing a rhythm with Chris Olave, K.J. Hill and the rest of his wide receivers. 

Fields' pair of 300-yard passing performances occurred in two of the last three contests against Rutgers and Michigan. 

If the Georgia transfer reaches a similar total Saturday, he could solidify a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. 

Wisconsin's best chance to win could be through the turnover battle. Its defense forced Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan into a fumble and an interception in its Big Ten West-clinching victory in Week 14. 

However, Fields has not made many mistakes, as he has a single interception to go along with 37 touchdown passes. 

Even if Wisconsin plays a perfect game, there is no guarantee it comes out on top because Ohio State possesses game-changing talent at more positions.

                   

Predictions

Ohio State 41, Wisconsin 21

MVP: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

Dobbins is in the middle of a remarkable run, and his previous success against Wisconsin should translate into a fruitful Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Taylor may be able to match his output on occasion, but the Ohio State front seven, led by Chase Young, has not been dominated for a whole game by an opposing offensive line. 

Young and Co. have been the aggressors in all 12 games, with the defensive end owning five tackles for loss and four sacks from his first matchup with the Badgers. 

Even if Young fails to impact every play, Malik Harrison, Pete Werner and others can wreak havoc in the backfield to halt Taylor's progress and pressure quarterback Jack Coan. 

A commanding win should keep the Buckeyes atop the playoff rankings and earn it the choice of visiting either the Peach or Fiesta Bowl.

                   

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com

The 2019 Heisman Trophy finalists should feature a buffet of Buckeyes in the eyes of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day.

Following No. 1 OSU's 56-27 victory over No. 13 Michigan on Saturday afternoon, Day said junior defensive end Chase Young, junior running back J.K. Dobbins and sophomore quarterback Justin Fields "all deserve to go to New York for the Heisman ceremony," according to The Athletic's Ari Wasserman.

While Day is biased, each Buckeye he mentioned has made a strong case. 

Against Michigan, Fields threw for 302 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Dobbins ran wild for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Young, who broke the program's all-time record for sacks in a single season last week (16.5), recorded two quarterback hurries. 

J.K. Dobbins TOOK FLIGHT 🛫

That’s now a career-high 211 rushing yards and 4 TDs on the day.

(via @CFBONFOX)⁰pic.twitter.com/MkRQm7FBGc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 30, 2019

More impressive than Fields' numbers was the skill he showed on this 30-yard touchdown to Garrett Wilson, moments after visiting the medical tent with what initially appeared to be a serious knee injury:

Justin Fields came out of the medical tent in a brace and immediately threw a TD. Incredible.

(via @CFBONFOX)⁰pic.twitter.com/exjHOdzMZn

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 30, 2019

Ryan Day on Justin Fields coming back from injury to throw a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson: “I thought it was a magical moment. I thought it was a Heisman moment.” pic.twitter.com/qGR3i41vd4

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 30, 2019

Fields' 302 yards against the Wolverines, however, were his second-most in a game this season, behind his 305 yards against Rutgers on Nov. 16. His four touchdowns tied the most he has thrown in one contest, which he had done four previous times.

Fields threw four touchdowns across 12 games last season as a freshman at Georgia.

Dobbins and Fields set an Ohio State-Michigan record:

Ohio State saw Justin Fields pass for 4 TD and J.K. Dobbins rush for 4 TD vs Michigan on Saturday.

It's the first time in the history of the Ohio State-Michigan series a team has had a 4 Pass TD and 4 Rush TD performance in a single game. pic.twitter.com/rDRneBqlz2

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 30, 2019

Overall, the quarterback finished the regular season with 2,654 yards, 37 touchdowns and only one interception. On top of that, he ran for 470 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Dobbins has had a career year, too, running for 1,657 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has recorded eight games with at least 100 yards on the ground.

Young, meanwhile, was suspended for two games because he accepted a loan in 2018 from what he described as a "family friend." It's all the more impressive the 6'5", 265-pounder broke the Buckeyes' all-time sack record during an abbreviated season and speaks to why he has become Todd McShay of ESPN's top overall 2020 NFL draft prospect.

Ohio State had three top-10 Heisman finishers in 1969 and 1973, according to the award's official website.

Saturday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook had Fields and Young among the top candidates to win the trophy, albeit with significantly lower odds than LSU quarterback Joe Burrow:

Updated Heisman Odds 🏆

🏈 ➡️ https://t.co/dZiablWdVG pic.twitter.com/uHN3SmudZd

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 30, 2019

Whether Dobbins, Fields or Young become Heisman finalists, the undefeated Buckeyes are guaranteed to play for the Big Ten Championship next Saturday and are firmly in the hunt for the national championship.

Ohio State's shift up to No. 1 in Tuesday's College Football Playoff rankings made it the front-runner to finish there December 8. 

The Buckeyes continue a challenging three-game stretch Saturday versus Michigan. They beat Penn State last week and will face the Minnesota-Wisconsin winner in the Big Ten Championship Game. 

LSU is the only playoff contender with a comparable resume, and it may be able to earn back the top position by beating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. 

If the top three teams win out, Clemson will likely slide into the No. 3 seed because it does not boast a collection of Top 25 victories. 

Georgia enters Week 14 at No. 4, but if it loses to LSU, then Alabama, Utah and Oklahoma will be involved in a heated debate for the last playoff spot. 

              

Bowl Projections

College Football Playoff 

Peach Bowl (December 28): No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Utah

Fiesta Bowl (December 28): No. 2 LSU vs. No. 3 Clemson

Ohio State was expected to compete for the No. 1 seed, but not until it racked up a few more Top 25 wins to have a more comparable resume to LSU. 

With that thought process thrown away, the Buckeyes have to be considered the favorite for the top playoff seed, which would keep them away from Clemson in the national semifinal round. 

Ryan Day's team possesses a trio of ranked victories over Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State, as well as a Week 2 triumph over a Cincinnati team fighting for the Group of Five New Year's Six position. 

If you add in potential wins over No. 13 Michigan and either No. 8 Minnesota or a second victory over No. 12 Wisconsin, the Buckeyes' resume carries six quality victories. 

Additionally, the Big Ten East champion dispensed of every opponent to date by double digits, which is something LSU can't claim. 

What Ed Orgeron's team does have on its resume is four Top 10 wins and a handful of commanding victories over lesser opposition. 

However, the Tigers downed Texas, Florida, Auburn and Alabama by a combined 29 points and showed some defensive holes by allowing 57 points in the last two weeks to Ole Miss and Arkansas. 

But they still have a chance to gain ground with No. 4 Georgia on the docket in the SEC Championship Game. 

A convincing triumph over the Bulldogs may be enough to persuade the committee to place the Tigers back at No. 1. 

If the Buckeyes and Tigers continue to play at their dominant pace, the decision for the No. 1 seed will come down to slim margins, but it should lean in favor of Ohio State after Tuesday's decision to put it on top. 

All Clemson has to do is beat a declining South Carolina team and three-loss ACC Coastal champion Virginia to earn a chance to defend its crown. 

Dabo Swinney's side has six straight 45-point performances and four consecutive 50-plus point outings. 

The one thing holding it back from the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds is its strength of schedule, as it bested a single ranked foe, and that was Texas A&M in Week 2. 

To their credit, the Tigers have proved throughout ACC play that they are the superior program in the conference. 

If Ohio State, LSU and Clemson lock into the first three spots, that leaves Utah, Alabama and Oklahoma fighting for the No. 4 spot with Georgia down to two losses. 

Utah is the only one of the three that has matched the consistent dominance of the top three, as it held five of its last six opponents to single digits. 

The problem facing Utah is its lack of quality wins and Oregon's loss to Arizona State, which makes its best possible win now over No. 14, instead of No. 6, in the Pac-12 Championship Game. 

Kyle Whittingham's team can claim it has a better loss than Oklahoma. It fell to 8-4 USC, who landed at No. 22 Tuesday, while the Sooners fell to a 7-4 Kansas State squad trending in the wrong direction. 

Alabama possesses the better defeat since it dropped a five-point result to LSU, but it has not been as imposing as the Utes. 

If the Crimson Tide struggle to beat Auburn Saturday, they could lose the eye-test argument while picking up their first win over a Top 15 squad. 

Utah and Oklahoma have the advantage of playing in a conference championship game, and if the Utes control Oregon, they should get in. 

A conference championship combined with a consistent run of dominant play and a Top 15 win to finish the campaign should be enough to boost the Utes over Alabama while fending off Oklahoma. 

                       

New Year's Six 

Cotton Bowl (December 28): Memphis vs. Penn State 

Orange Bowl (December 30): Virginia vs. Georgia

Rose Bowl (January 1): Oregon vs. Minnesota

Sugar Bowl (January 1): Alabama vs. Oklahoma

             

Other Bowls

Bahamas Bowl (December 20): Charlotte vs. Toledo

Frisco Bowl (December 20): Temple vs. Southern Miss

New Mexico Bowl (December 21): Florida International vs. San Diego State

Cure Bowl (December 21): Tulane vs. Arkansas State

Boca Raton Bowl (December 21): Liberty vs. Western Michigan 

Camellia Bowl (December 21): Central Michigan vs. Georgia State 

Las Vegas Bowl (December 21): Washington State vs. Boise State 

New Orleans Bowl (December 21): Marshall vs. Appalachian State 

Gasparilla Bowl (December 23): SMU vs. Western Kentucky 

Hawaii Bowl (December 24): BYU vs. Hawaii 

Independence Bowl (December 26): Florida State vs. Louisiana Tech 

Quick Lane Bowl (December 26): Ohio vs. North Carolina

Military Bowl (December 27): Miami vs. Navy 

Pinstripe Bowl (December 27): Pittsburgh vs. Illinois 

Texas Bowl (December 27): Iowa State vs. Kentucky 

Holiday Bowl (December 27): Indiana vs. Washington 

Cheez-It Bowl (December 27): Kansas State vs. Wyoming 

Camping World Bowl (December 28): Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State 

First Responder Bowl (December 30): TCU vs. Florida Atlantic 

Music City Bowl (December 30): Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee 

Redbox Bowl (December 30): Michigan State vs. Arizona State 

Belk Bowl (December 31): Louisville vs. Mississippi State 

Sun Bowl (December 31): Wake Forest vs. California 

Liberty Bowl (December 31): Texas vs. Cincinnati 

Arizona Bowl (December 31): Nevada vs. Georgia Southern 

Alamo Bowl (December 31): Baylor vs. USC 

Citrus Bowl (January 1): Iowa vs. Florida 

Outback Bowl (January 1): Wisconsin vs. Auburn 

Birmingham Bowl (January 2): UAB vs. UCF 

Gator Bowl (January 2): Michigan vs. Texas A&M 

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (January 3): Eastern Michigan vs. Utah State 

Armed Forces Bowl (January 4): Buffalo vs. Air Force 

LendingTree Bowl (January 6): Miami (Ohio) vs. Louisiana   

The Pac-12 is down to one College Football Playoff contender.

Utah may not be talked about as much as other top programs, but it poses a strong argument to get into the final four.

Over the next two weeks, Kyle Whittingham's team will be compared to Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma in the fight for the No. 4 seed.

LSU, Ohio State and Clemson are once again expected to feature in the top three of Tuesday's rankings, and if they continue to win, they will qualify for the national semifinals.

                            

College Football Playoff Projections

Peach Bowl (December 28): No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Utah

Fiesta Bowl (December 28): No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson

The gap between LSU and Ohio State could dwindle since the Buckeyes earned their third Top 25 victory.

LSU should remain at No. 1 after producing its second straight 50-point performance. But the most important takeaway from the win over Arkansas is the defensive improvements, as Ed Orgeron's side allowed 304 total yards and 20 points a week after letting up 614 total yards and 37 points to Ole Miss.

In Week 14, the Tigers host a Texas A&M side that averages 17.8 points per game versus ranked foes. If LSU's defense holds the Aggies to a similar total, it will cruise into the SEC Championship Game at 12-0.

Ohio State survived Penn State's comeback attempt to win its third Top 25 matchup by double digits. When the selection committee compares the final resumes, the Buckeyes' wins over Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State by a combined 66 points could stand out.

Ryan Day's side can bolster that total at Michigan on Saturday, but it will get the Wolverines' best punch since they enter on a four-game winning streak in which they have not allowed more than 14 points in a game.

Ohio State's defense could be the difference-maker Saturday, with Chase Young working his way around the Michigan offensive line for a few sacks.

In the return from his two-game suspension, Young racked up nine tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks.

Victories over Michigan and the Big Ten West champion would hand the Buckeyes five ranked wins, but LSU's resume would be the better one with five top-10 triumphs.

Clemson needs to beat South Carolina and either Virginia or Virginia Tech to secure its playoff berth. Since the start of October, Dabo Swinney's Tigers have not allowed an opponent to hit the 20-point mark. Because of its lackluster resume, the reigning champion would likely land the No. 3 seed if LSU and Ohio State remain undefeated.

With Oregon out of the playoff picture, Utah can start building its case for the No. 4 seed. Since falling to USC September 20, the Utes have outscored opponents 263-61 and they have limited five of their past six foes to single digits.

Utah's best victory if it wins out will be over two-loss Oregon, and its only defeat will be to 8-4 USC.

If Alabama captures the Iron Bowl, its best victory would be over four-loss Auburn, but its only loss would be to top-ranked LSU.

Oklahoma could also throw itself into the mix by winning the Big 12 Championship Game, which could be its second triumph over Baylor. However, the road stumble at Kansas State could hurt the Sooners, as well as their inability to put away TCU and Iowa State at home.

If the selection committee combines eye test, a conference championship and overall resume together as part of its criteria, Utah should hold a slight edge over Alabama.

                          

New Year's Six Projections

Cotton Bowl (December 28): Memphis vs. Florida

Orange Bowl (December 30): Virginia Tech vs. Georgia

Rose Bowl (January 1): Oregon vs. Minnesota

Sugar Bowl (January 1): Alabama vs. Oklahoma

The Sugar Bowl would be the consolation prize for Alabama and Oklahoma, which would feature Jalen Hurts taking on his old team.

The Crimson Tide and Sooners may end up as the No. 5 and No. 6 teams in the final playoff rankings depending on how Georgia performs versus LSU.

At worst, the Bulldogs will be an at-large team in the New Year's Six and head to the Orange Bowl to face the second-best ACC side.

Virginia Tech has won six of its past seven, and it has not lost to Virginia since 2003. A win over the Cavaliers would allow the Hokies to take the ACC's spot in the Orange Bowl.

If Minnesota defeats Wisconsin, its worst landing spot is likely the Rose Bowl. The Golden Gophers' head-to-head win over Penn State should keep them ahead of the Nittany Lions, even with a loss to Ohio State.

Oregon's Pac-12 North title would earn it a position opposite Minnesota in the Rose Bowl if Utah lands the conference crown.

Memphis will still be the highest-ranked Group of Five squad entering Week 14. The Tigers square off against Cincinnati Friday to determine the front-runner for the position.

Meanwhile, Florida may slide into the final at-large berth through its top-10 ranking. The Gators could finish 10-2 with losses to LSU and Georgia.

The next-best option behind them would be Baylor, but if it stumbles in the rematch with Oklahoma, it would likely drop out of New Year's Six contention.

                           

Other Bowls

Bahamas Bowl (December 20): Charlotte vs. Toledo

Frisco Bowl (December 20): Temple vs. Southern Miss

New Mexico Bowl (December 21): Florida International vs. San Diego State

Cure Bowl (December 21): Tulane vs. Arkansas State

Boca Raton Bowl (December 21): Liberty vs. Miami (Ohio)

Camellia Bowl (December 21): Central Michigan vs. Georgia State 

Las Vegas Bowl (December 21): Washington State vs. Boise State 

New Orleans Bowl (December 21): Marshall vs. Appalachian State 

Gasparilla Bowl (December 23): SMU vs. Western Kentucky 

Hawaii Bowl (December 24): BYU vs. Hawaii 

Independence Bowl (December 26): Florida State vs. Louisiana Tech 

QuickLane Bowl (December 26): Michigan State vs. North Carolina

Military Bowl (December 27): Miami vs. Navy 

Pinstripe Bowl (December 27): Pittsburgh vs. Indiana 

Texas Bowl (December 27): Iowa State vs. Missouri 

Holiday Bowl (December 27): Iowa vs. Washington 

Cheez-It Bowl (December 27): Kansas State vs. Wyoming 

Camping World Bowl (December 28): Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State 

First Responder Bowl (December 30): TCU vs. Florida Atlantic 

Music City Bowl (December 30): Virginia vs. Kentucky 

Redbox Bowl (December 30): Illinois vs. Arizona State 

Belk Bowl (December 31): Louisville vs. Mississippi State 

Sun Bowl (December 31): Wake Forest vs. California 

Liberty Bowl (December 31): Texas vs. Cincinnati 

Arizona Bowl (December 31): Nevada vs. Georgia Southern 

Alamo Bowl (December 31): Baylor vs. USC 

Citrus Bowl (January 1): Wisconsin vs. Auburn 

Outback Bowl (January 1): Penn State vs. Texas A&M 

Birmingham Bowl (January 2): UAB vs. UCF 

Gator Bowl (January 2): Michigan vs. Tennessee 

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (January 3): Eastern Michigan vs. Utah State 

Armed Forces Bowl (January 4): Buffalo vs. Air Force 

LendingTree Bowl (January 6): Western Michigan vs. Louisiana 

                 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said quarterback Justin Fields was all right after he took a big hit late in the team's 28-17 win over Penn State on Saturday.

"I think he's fine," Day said during the Fox broadcast (h/t Kevin Harrish of Eleven Warriors). "He jumped up. He's a tough kid, he took a tough shot there. Not what we wanted, but he's a tough kid."

Ryan Day said Justin Fields is good after taking that hit late. “He’s a warrior.”

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 23, 2019

Justin Fields jogs off the field after going down with an injury pic.twitter.com/KDClwTRboD

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2019

Fields was fantastic against the Nittany Lions, finishing 16-of-22 for 188 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were absolute dimes. 

What a dime from @justnfields! 👌@OhioStateFB starts the second half off strong to make it 21-0. pic.twitter.com/7MyEbnUG3e

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2019

OH MY, @chrisolave_ 😱😱

The @OhioStateFB WR comes down with the TD in double coverage. pic.twitter.com/djB0Mkfg0Y

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2019

But Fields was just as impactful on the ground, rushing 21 times for 68 yards. He was a huge factor in Ohio State rushing for a whopping 229 yards against a Penn State defense that was giving up just 75.9 rushing yards per game coming into Saturday's matchup, fourth in the nation. 

Fields saved a few of those rushes for crucial moments in the game:

The Buckeyes go for it on 4th and 5 and get 22 yards from @justnfields 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/kONmGkWMlD

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2019

He wasn't perfect, fumbling three times, losing two of them. Ohio State's three total turnovers led to 10 Penn State points, allowing them to cut a 21-0 deficit at halftime to 21-17 in the third quarter. But Ohio State's defense tightened from there and Fields hit Chris Olave on a 28-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give the Buckeyes all the cushion they would need. 

Fields has continued posting epic numbers, and while he probably won't win the Heisman Trophy—that appears to be LSU quarterback Joe Burrow's award to lose at this point—he's making a strong case to be a finalist. 

And the undefeated Buckeyes are making a strong case to be one of the four College Football Playoff teams. Beat Michigan next week and win the Big Ten title game after that and the Buckeyes will have a national championship in their crosshairs. 

Those hopes may go up in smoke without a healthy Fields, however, making the comments from Day regarding Fields' health a major relief for the team. 

In comparison to previous weeks, the Week 13 college football slate is underwhelming.

Ohio State and Penn State square off in Saturday's marquee clash, but after that, the intriguing matchups are hard to find.

A majority of the top-10 programs are expected to cruise, and how well they play could leave an impression on the College Football Playoff selection committee.

There may be some drama in The American Athletic Conference if Cincinnati and Memphis look ahead to their Week 14 meeting, which will decide the front-runner for the Group of Five New Year's Six berth, but other than that, it could be a routine Saturday across the Top 25.

                        

Week 13 CFB Playoff Rankings

1. LSU (10-0) 

2. Ohio State (10-0) 

3. Clemson (11-0) 

4. Georgia (9-1) 

5. Alabama (9-1) 

6. Oregon (9-1) 

7. Utah (9-1) 

8. Penn State (9-1) 

9. Oklahoma (9-1) 

10. Minnesota (9-1) 

11. Florida (9-2) 

12. Wisconsin (8-2) 

13. Michigan (8-2) 

14. Baylor (9-1) 

15. Auburn (7-3) 

16. Notre Dame (8-2) 

17. Iowa (7-3) 

18. Memphis (9-1) 

19. Cincinnati (9-1) 

20. Boise State (9-1) 

21. Oklahoma State (7-3) 

22. Iowa State (6-4) 

23. USC (7-4) 

24. Appalachian State (9-1) 

25. SMU (9-1)

               

Penn State's visit to Ohio Stadium is the most important Week 13 clash.

The one-loss Nittany Lions need a road victory to stay alive for the playoff and the Big Ten Championship Game. James Franklin's team enters Saturday one game behind the Buckeyes in the Big Ten East, and with a win over Michigan in hand, it could put itself in position to win the division.

But Penn State faces a difficult task against an Ohio State squad that has defeated all of its opponents by at least 20 points. In two Top 25 contests at home, the Buckeyes outscored Michigan State and Wisconsin 72-17.

Against Wisconsin, Chase Young dominated with four sacks, and he could have a similar impact in his return from his a two-game suspension.

Young is one of many stars on a defense that is the only one in the FBS to allow under 10 points per game. Ryan Day's team also leads the nation in yards allowed per game at 216.4, which is 22 yards less than second-place Clemson.

Penn State concedes 100 more yards per contest than the Big Ten East leader, and it gave up 462 total yards to Indiana in Week 12. If the Nittany Lions fail to contain Justin Fields, J.K. Dobbins and others, the Buckeyes could roll to another impressive victory.

A win would be Ohio State's third over a ranked foe, one less than top-ranked LSU, but the difference between their resumes is the Tigers' four wins over top-10 teams.

LSU does not have a chance to bolster its resume until the SEC Championship Game, as it faces Arkansas and Texas A&M in its next two games.

Texas A&M holds the opportunity to wreak havoc on the rankings, with Georgia and LSU in back-to-back weeks. While an upset would add more drama to the final four selection, the Aggies are 0-3 with a pair of double-digit losses against ranked foes.

Oklahoma would love for chaos to ensue since it needs help to jump from No. 9 into the top four. Week 13's likeliest scenario would put the Sooners up a position following a Penn State loss, but they need to look impressive against TCU to bridge the gap between themselves and the pair of Pac-12 sides above them.

TCU is 1-3 on the road in Big 12 play, while Lincoln Riley's side is undefeated at home with an average margin of victory of 30. A 30-plus point win might help the Sooners in the eye-test argument, especially if Oregon and Utah fail to dominate Arizona State and Arizona, respectively.

The other battle to watch is between Memphis and Cincinnati for the top Group of Five team. The Tigers visit South Florida, who came close to beating Cincinnati at home last time out, while the Bearcats host a Temple squad with two Top 25 wins and a two-game winning streak.

If either of those squads slips up, Boise State could be next in line, but the Broncos face their toughest road trip of 2019 at Utah State.

The Aggies are one game back of the Broncos in the Mountain West Mountain Division, but it sits at 6-4 from back-to-back losses to Air Force and BYU a few weeks back.

Appalachian State and SMU are also in contention for that position, but their upward movement would require losses by Memphis, Cincinnati and Boise State and a few three- and four-loss Power Five squads.

                    

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.

The final College Football Playoff position appears to be down to the Pac-12 and the SEC. 

Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Utah landed at Nos. 4-7 in Tuesday's rankings release. 

A full look at the November 1️⃣9️⃣ #CFBPlayoff Selection Committee Rankings.

Is your team in?

🏈🏆 pic.twitter.com/jgeaoEXbJR

— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) November 20, 2019

The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are ahead of the Pac-12 sides, but that could change in the coming weeks. 

Top-ranked LSU could knock off Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and Alabama could tumble without an appearance in Atlanta. 

Unless the selection committee boosts Oklahoma up from No. 9 in the coming weeks or all sorts of chaos breaks out, one of those four teams from Nos. 4-7 will be headed to the final four. 

               

Final Four Prediction

Peach Bowl (December 28): No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oregon

Fiesta Bowl (December 28): No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson 

LSU, Ohio State and Clemson continue to be in a class of their own. 

With Baylor and Minnesota losing in Week 12, the top three squads in the playoff rankings are the only undefeated teams remaining in the FBS. 

If all three programs win out, they will be slotted into the top three seeds, with the only debate surrounding LSU's and Ohio State's credentials for the No. 1 seed. 

Ed Orgeron's Tigers have four Top 10 wins and could earn another in Atlanta against SEC East champion Georgia. If that occurs, two-loss Georgia will drop from No. 4 into a New Year's Six bowl. 

Ohio State can match LSU's resume by reeling off three straight wins over Penn State, Michigan and either Minnesota or Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. With Minnesota at No. 10 and Wisconsin checking in at No. 12, the Buckeyes could be in possession of a pair of Top 10 wins in the final three weeks, in addition to beating No. 8 Penn State at home on Saturday. 

However, LSU's best wins over Georgia and Alabama should be enough to put the Tigers ahead of the Buckeyes, which would allow it to pick its semifinal site. 

The only way Clemson moves into the top two spots is if LSU or Ohio State suffers a defeat. Due to the weak ACC, Dabo Swinney's Tigers are at a disadvantage when it comes to resume comparison. 

Clemson has to hope the ACC Coastal champion finds a way to sneak into the CFB playoff rankings between now and the first weekend of December. Virginia Tech appeared at the bottom of the AP Top 25, but it was kept out of Tuesday's list by USC and SMU. 

That would leave one-loss Alabama and a one-loss Pac-12 champion for the No. 4 spot. 

Oklahoma may have a chance to slide into the discussion, but the selection committee did not move it much after it defeated Baylor on Saturday. 

In their best-case scenario, the Sooners would sit at No. 6 with either a second victory over Baylor or a triumph over a three-or-four loss team in the Big 12 Championship Game. 

Oregon is ahead of Utah now because it has a better loss to Auburn at a neutral site from Week 1. The Utes were upset by USC, which showed up at No. 23. 

Both the Ducks and Utes have dominated their Pac-12 schedules, but Oregon owns a slight edge because of its offensive production.

Justin Herbert and Co. has produced at least 34 points in the last five games, and they could be able to get the best of Utah's defense, which has held four of its last five opponents to single digits. Wide receiver Juwan Johnson, a transfer from Penn State, could be the difference-maker in the matchup, as he has 199 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the last two games. 

If Oregon is compared to Alabama, their respective games against Auburn may be brought up. 

However, Auburn is a much different team from Week 1 to Week 14, so that may not be the best factor used to decide the No. 4 seed. 

Even if the Crimson Tide run through the host Tigers in the Iron Bowl on Nov. 30, Oregon could leapfrog past them with an additional game to impress the selection committee. 

Twelve straight wins, a conference title and a win over a Top 10 side should be enough to boost the Ducks into the playoff. 

                             

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.

The College Football Playoff outlook was not changed by Week 10's results.

Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Penn State were all off, and Clemson steamrolled Wofford on home soil.

When the first playoff rankings come out Tuesday, those five teams should sit at the top. Georgia will likely slot in beneath them after beating Florida on Saturday.

The playoff projections will be altered following Week 11, but that depends on how close the LSU-Alabama game is. If the SEC West showdown goes to the wire, it could open the door for both teams to still qualify for the playoff.

                           

College Football Playoff Projections

Peach Bowl (December 28): No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Clemson

Fiesta Bowl (December 28): No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Alabama

         

LSU or Ohio State should be No. 1 Tuesday evening. 

The Tigers' resume contains three victories over top-10 sides, while Ohio State has been consistently dominant through eight games.

Ed Orgeron's team should receive the edge based off strength of schedule, as it downed Texas, Florida and Auburn. The win over the Gators could carry less weight to the selection committee because they fell to Georgia in Jacksonville.

The argument against LSU's quality wins is Texas, Florida and Auburn have since dropped out of the playoff conversation after suffering multiple losses.

Ohio State has two wins over ranked foes. The first was over then-25th ranked Michigan State and the other was a 31-point blowout of Wisconsin.

Ryan Day's team likely will not be tested again until November 23, when it hosts Penn State. It faces Maryland and Rutgers in the next two weeks.

For now, Alabama belongs in the top four. The Crimson Tide may not have a shot at No. 1 since their only triumph over a ranked side occurred against Texas A&M. But Nick Saban's side deserves credit for remaining undefeated and not skipping a beat without the injured Tua Tagovailoa in Week 9 versus Arkansas.

A win over LSU could boost Alabama up to No. 1, and it would ignite the debate surrounding the loser's playoff credentials.

One of the December decisions that could be made involves putting in a one-loss LSU or Alabama without a conference championship game appearance over a one-loss conference champion. Once the Week 11 clash has been played at Bryant-Denny Stadium, we can have that discussion based on how well the loser performed.

Clemson has blown past its last four opponents, which should be enough to earn the No. 4 spot. The toughest test left for Dabo Swinney's program occurs November 16 versus Wake Forest, the only other ranked side in the ACC.

Penn State may be on the outside looking in Tuesday, but it has an opportunity to vault into the top four by beating Minnesota and Ohio State in two of the next three weeks.

                          

New Year's Six Projections

Cotton Bowl (December 28): Memphis vs. Utah

Orange Bowl (December 30): Wake Forest vs. Florida 

Rose Bowl (January 1): Penn State vs. Oregon

Sugar Bowl (January 1): Georgia vs. Oklahoma 

Florida's loss to Georgia may not affect its at-large status for the New Year's Six. With defeats to LSU and Georgia, Dan Mullen's side may still be able to slide into a position if it wins out.

If Georgia wins every game before the SEC Championship, its worst-case scenario will be a Sugar Bowl appearance. The same can be said about Oklahoma in the Big 12, but it faces a more difficult schedule, with Baylor upcoming November 16.

Oregon and Utah are on a collision course for the Pac-12 Championship Game, and if both enter that contest with one loss, they may head to New Year's Six contests.

Memphis is the new favorite to represent the Group of Five after its home victory over SMU. The Tigers' top challenge could be beating Cincinnati in two straight weeks. The American Athletic Conference division favorites are already scheduled to play November 29.

                         

Bowl Projections

Bahamas Bowl (December 20): Western Kentucky vs. Ball State 

Frisco Bowl (December 20): Temple vs. Miami (Ohio) 

New Mexico Bowl (December 21): Louisiana Tech vs. Utah State 

Cure Bowl (December 21): South Florida vs. Georgia Southern 

Boca Raton Bowl (December 21): UCF vs. Marshall 

Camellia Bowl (December 21): Western Michigan vs. Louisiana 

Las Vegas Bowl (December 21): California vs. Boise State 

New Orleans Bowl (December 21): Tulane vs. Appalachian State 

Gasparilla Bowl (December 23): SMU vs. Southern Mississippi 

Hawaii Bowl (December 24): BYU vs. Hawai'i

Independence Bowl (December 26): North Carolina vs. UAB 

QuickLane Bowl (December 26): Boston College vs. Nebraska 

Military Bowl (December 27): Florida State vs. Navy 

Pinstripe Bowl (December 27): Virginia Tech vs. Indiana 

Texas Bowl (December 27): Oklahoma State vs. South Carolina 

Holiday Bowl (December 27): Wisconsin vs. Arizona State 

Cheez-It Bowl (December 27): Iowa State vs. Oregon State 

Camping World Bowl (December 28): Texas vs. Notre Dame 

First Responder Bowl (December 30) Illinois vs. Florida Atlantic 

Music City Bowl (December 30): Virginia vs. Missouri 

Redbox Bowl (December 30): Michigan State vs. Washington 

Belk Bowl (December 31): Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee

Sun Bowl (December 31): Louisville vs. Washington State 

Liberty Bowl (December 31) Kansas State vs. Miami 

Arizona Bowl (December 31): Wyoming vs. Arkansas State 

Alamo Bowl (December 31): Baylor vs. USC 

Citrus Bowl (January 1): Minnesota vs. Auburn 

Outback Bowl (January 1): Michigan vs. Texas A&M 

Birmingham Bowl (January 2): Duke vs. Cincinnati 

Gator Bowl (January 2): Iowa vs. Kentucky 

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (January 3): Buffalo vs. San Diego State 

Armed Forces Bowl (January 4): TCU vs. Air Force 

Mobile Alabama Bowl (January 6): Ohio vs. Georgia State 

                

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

The recent string of upsets suffered by Top 10 teams has made the College Football Playoff picture a bit clearer. 

Five undefeated teams sit atop the AP Top 25, and eventually, four of them have to play each other, which in theory would eliminate two sides from playoff contention. 

However, the defeats handed to Oklahoma and Georgia may allow one of the losers of LSU-Alabama and Ohio State-Penn State to remain in the mix for the Final Four. 

As it did a year ago, the SEC remains the dominant conference at the top part of the rankings, and if that continues into December, it could boast a pair of playoff sides and land a few programs in New Year's Six bowls. 

                    

College Football Playoff Projection

Peach Bowl (December 28): LSU vs. Ohio State

Fiesta Bowl (December 28): Clemson vs. Alabama

LSU is expected to enter its November 9 clash with Alabama as the No. 1 team in the nation. 

The Tigers own three wins over Top 10 sides, and the victory over Florida could look even better if the Gators defeat Georgia Saturday. 

Given how strong the SEC is, Auburn or Florida could land in a New Year's Six game, and at the moment, the wins over both teams are better than what Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State possess. 

LSU's high-scoring offense could give it a chance to go into Bryant-Denny Stadium and defeat Alabama. 

Ed Orgeron's team averages 46.75 points per game, but the Crimson Tide have let up 15.25 points per contest.

At the moment, both teams deserve to be in the Final Four, and if LSU loses, it could still have a case to make the College Football Playoff. 

LSU with one loss to Alabama could be viewed as a better team than Oklahoma—who lost to Kansas State Saturday—and the loser of the Ohio State-Penn State game because of the victories it already racked up. 

Clemson owns the easiest playoff path of the current Top 5 in the AP poll, as it has a single ranked foe left on its schedule. 

As we have seen with Georgia, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, a potentially easy matchup could turn disastrous. 

South Carolina already beat Georgia in SEC play, and it could be charged up by hosting a rivalry game in which it may have to win to secure bowl eligibility. 

Unless Virginia Tech wins out, Clemson's ACC Championship Game opponent will have at least three defeats. Wake Forest is the lone ranked side in the ACC Coastal entering Week 10. 

If Ohio State remains without a loss, it should own one of the national semifinal slots. The Buckeyes have a backloaded schedule with Penn State, Michigan and the Big Ten West champion, which could be either Minnesota, Iowa or Wisconsin. 

In that situation, the Buckeyes would own five wins over Top 25 teams, plus a September win over Cincinnati, who has climbed up the rankings every week. 

Since LSU, Alabama, Ohio State and Penn State all have Week 10 byes and Clemson hosts Wofford, this projection will likely remain the same until the SEC West clash in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

Once that occurs, the next significant shift in playoff predictions will occur, but for now, LSU, Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson have proved they are the four best teams in the sport. 

                         

New Years' Six Projection

Cotton Bowl (December 28): SMU vs. Utah 

Orange Bowl (December 30): Wake Forest vs. Florida 

Rose Bowl (January 1): Penn State vs. Oregon 

Sugar Bowl (January 1): Georgia vs. Oklahoma

The winner of Saturday's Georgia-Florida game could ensure itself of a spot in a New Year's Six bowl. 

Last season, four SEC programs reached the New Year's Six, which hands Florida hope that it can earn one of the at-large berths as a two-loss team. 

In that scenario, the Gators would have defeats to LSU and Georgia, and if they finish November with three victories, they could easily land back in the Top 10 or 12. 

Oregon and Utah's jump into the Top 10 after Week 9 opens the door for Pac-12 representation in the College Football Playoff. 

The Ducks have a better shot than the Utes because they are two spots ahead and possess a neutral-site loss to an SEC team. 

At minimum, Oregon is on track for a Rose Bowl appearance, and if Utah's only other loss occurs in the Pac-12 Championship Game, it could land an at-large berth over the second-tier sides in the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12. 

                           

Bowl Projections

Bahamas Bowl (December 20): Western Kentucky vs. Ball State 

Frisco Bowl (December 20): Temple vs. Miami (Ohio) 

New Mexico Bowl (December 21): Louisiana Tech vs. Utah State 

Cure Bowl (December 21): South Florida vs. Georgia Southern 

Boca Raton Bowl (December 21): UCF vs. Marshall 

Camellia Bowl (December 21): Western Michigan vs. Louisiana 

Las Vegas Bowl (December 21): California vs. Boise State 

New Orleans Bowl (December 21): Tulane vs. Appalachian State 

Gasparilla Bowl (December 23): Memphis vs. Southern Mississippi 

Hawai'i Bowl (December 24): BYU vs. Hawai'i

Independence Bowl (December 26): North Carolina vs. UAB 

QuickLane Bowl (December 26): Boston College vs. Nebraska 

Military Bowl (December 27): Florida State vs. Navy 

Pinstripe Bowl (December 27): Pittsburgh vs. Indiana 

Texas Bowl (December 27): Oklahoma State vs. South Carolina 

Holiday Bowl (December 27): Wisconsin vs. Arizona State 

Cheez-It Bowl (December 27): Kansas State vs. Arizona 

Camping World Bowl (December 28): Texas vs. Notre Dame 

First Responder Bowl (December 30) Illinois vs. Florida Atlantic 

Music City Bowl (December 30): Virginia vs. Missouri 

Redbox Bowl (December 30): Michigan State vs. Washington 

Belk Bowl (December 31): Louisville vs. Tennessee

Sun Bowl (December 31): Virginia Tech vs. Washington State 

Liberty Bowl (December 31) Iowa State vs. Miami 

Arizona Bowl (December 31): Wyoming vs. Arkansas State 

Alamo Bowl (December 31): Baylor vs. USC 

Citrus Bowl (January 1): Minnesota vs. Auburn 

Outback Bowl (January 1): Michigan vs. Texas A&M 

Birmingham Bowl (January 2): Duke vs. Cincinnati 

Gator Bowl (January 2): Iowa vs. Kentucky 

Idaho Potato Bowl (January 3): Buffalo vs. San Diego State 

Armed Forces Bowl (January 4): TCU vs. Air Force 

Mobile Alabama Bowl (January 6): Ohio vs. Georgia State 

              

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com