MI still #3 in CFP rankings, Ohio State #2

Right now, both the Wolverines and the Buckeyes have an identical record of 10-1. Teacher vs. pupil. Dear friends and fierce competitors, their legacies are linked. Four of the top seven teams in this week’s rankings are from the Big Ten, including No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 MI, who square off Saturday in Columbus (noon ET, ABC/ESPN App).

‘Our job is to win football games, ‘ USC coach Clay Helton said.

No. 3 Michigan (No. 3 CFP) at No. 2 Ohio State (No. 2 CFP).

RUN-STUFFERS: Michigan State’s running game has thrived by changing angles and deceiving linebackers and the Spartans enter the regular season finale led by powerful back LJ Scott, averaging 219 rushing yards in their last five games.

Two weeks ago, the Wolverines lost to the Hawkeyes 14-13 on a field goal on the last play of the game.

Way back in Week 2 of the college football season, Central Michigan upset Oklahoma State with a Hail Mary on the final play of the game. That’s especially true for Penn State, which owns a win over the Buckeyes.

Boise State was best at No. 19, followed by Houston and Western Michigan. In that instance, Ohio State will be sitting at home during championship weekend knowing that they’ll likely make the playoff. Ohio State, led by Heisman Trophy victor Troy Smith, came away with a 42-39 victory in Columbus.

“We’re not thinking about losing”, Butt said.

It is easy to imagine that if Oklahoma State had won that game, no matter how ugly it may have been, they would now be ranked either fifth or sixth. “And when you look at Washington’s resume with Utah on it, let’s say they win this week with Washington State, they’re going to have an opportunity to have a pretty stout resume moving forward”.

They were gruff and uncompromising. That might be all the help the Big Ten needs to become the first conference to place two teams in the College Football Playoff bracket. The Wolverines have dominated every opponent they faced this season and boasted the nation’s top defense statistically.

The Nittany Lions gave up 341 rushing yards in a loss to Pittsburgh early in the season and 326 in its loss to MI.

Hayes and Schembechler set the tone for the rivalry some fans just call The Game.

“He’s a goofy big brother”, Thomas said.

The Wolverines have not won at Ohio Stadium since the 2000 season.

Harley’s popularity took Ohio State from an average program to one of national prominence.

“He’s a great player and we all know that”, Thomas said of Barrett.

“I left (the depth chart) as it was, ” Dantonio said. “And I learned it from those two, two of the greatest coaches of all time”.

Strong was surrounded by players showing support at his Monday news conference after a 24-21 loss at Kansas. “Obviously things didn’t go as planned for us and we wish we would have come together more at the beginning of year than toward the end, but we were young”.

It seems Jim Harbaugh isn’t too interested in talking about the past. Ohio State would just have one loss, with wins over Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Michigan and Nebraska. “I think the Big Ten has the possibility of getting two teams in the playoff if Ohio State beats MI”. MI has lost four straight and 11 of 12 in the rivalry. When Harbaugh arrived in 2015, even Buckeyes could feel a difference.

“The (Huskies’) strength of schedule is still in question”, Hocutt said. “I want to keep doing it and try to live up to what my brother first seen me do”.