College football’s annual rite of spring seems to be withering.

A person familiar with the situation says that Ohio State is hiring former Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day has agreed in principle to a seven-year contract valued at $12.5 million a year.

Ohio State, the first team to run the gauntlet of four playoff games on its way to the national title, celebrated with 30,000 Buckeyes fans on Sunday at Ohio Stadium.

The early betting favorite to win next year’s national championship is Ohio State.

Ryan Day deserved to feel vindication when he won a national championship less than two months after it seemed his Ohio State job was on the line.

Will Howard transferred to Ohio State to win a national championship, and he reached that goal by playing the best football of his career throughout the Buckeyes’ four games in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State can celebrate another title after holding off a Notre Dame comeback bid to walk away with a nailbiter of a 34-23 victory over the Fighting Irish.

Ohio State and Notre Dame arrived in Atlanta on their charter flights on Friday as the teams moved closer to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game.

The Big Ten could puff out its chest over having two of its teams in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Ohio State has been purposely pacing itself on offense all season.

The year was 1894.

Notre Dame’s Anthonie Knapp has been ruled out of the College Football Playoff championship game against Ohio State with an ankle injury.

Ohio State is favored by 9 1/2 points over Notre Dame in the College Football Championship national title game.

Ohio State this time gets the chance to play for the national title after another bitter loss to its biggest rival.

Texas quarterback and Texas native Quinn Ewers once played for Ohio State.

One victory over Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals would more than make up for years of frustration for Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.

In the first round of the College Football Playoff, the teams seeded 5-8 all won.

Texas will be a whole lot closer to home than Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

No. 6 Ohio State roared into the College Football Playoff semifinals with a 41-21 victory over No. 1 Oregon in the 111th Rose Bowl.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel is in his sixth season with his third top program.

The Rose Bowl between eighth-seeded Ohio State and top-seeded Oregon in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal has many subplots for Chip Kelly.

Oregon and Ohio State have already produced one heck of a game this season.

Will Howard threw two touchdown passes to freshman Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State routed Tennessee 42-17 on Saturday night in a first-round College Football Playoff game, setting up a New Year’s Day rematch with No. 1 Oregon at the Rose Bowl.

From a flag plant to Gus Johnson to fake tough guys -- here are 16 thoughts on Michigan football's fourth-straight win over Ohio State.

It was flag day in college football.

A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday when Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag on the OSU logo and were confronted by the Buckeyes.

Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15.

The NCAA football rules committee has issued guidance to close a loophole that allowed second-ranked Oregon to exploit an illegal substitution penalty late in its victory over Ohio State to take time off the clock.

There's nothing but Big Ten games ahead for No. 3 Ohio State.

Will Howard has won Ohio State’s quarterback battle against Devin Brown and will be the starter when the No. 2 Buckeyes open against Akron on Aug. 31.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day sounds confident and comfortable discussing this year’s football team.

UCLA coach Chip Kelly stepped down after six seasons leading the Bruins to become offensive coordinator for Ohio State.

With many players NFL eligible and others following unhappy starting quarterback Kyle McCord into the transfer portal, Ohio State football looked to be in for an unhappy winter.

Ohio State is hiring former Houston Texans and Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

The possibility of college teams using NFL-style communication technology has been viewed with a little more urgency in the aftermath of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal.

Ohio State’s Kyle McCord, Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel and Oregon State's Aidan Chiles led a parade of quarterbacks into the transfer portal on the first day of a 30-day window football players can put their names out in search of another opportunity.

The Michigan football sign-stealing saga has taken so many bizarre twists and turns, but what happened before the Ohio State game might just take the cake.

Is Ohio State finally out of excuses after a third-straight loss to Michigan football?

Ryan Day’s decisions in The Game may haunt him.

With Jim Harbaugh nowhere in sight and a scandal hanging over their heads, J.

The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry has always been a bubbling cauldron of antagonism, bitterness and dislike — maybe even hate.

It’s finally time for Michigan and Ohio State to meet.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day says he expected to have running back TreVeyon Henderson back in the lineup for Saturday's game at Purdue.

Ryan Day called out an 86-year-old man and tried to act like the Ohio State football program is a plucky underdog during an embarrassing postgame interview.

Miyan Williams rushed for two touchdowns and No. 3 Ohio State beat Indiana 23-3 for its 23rd consecutive season-opening victory.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day says Kyle McCord will be the starting quarterback when the No. 3 Buckeyes open the season Saturday at Indiana.

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.

C.

C.

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.

C.

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.

C.

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.

C.

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.

C.

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

C.

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.

C.

C.

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.