Big Ten Football

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields said he will be ready to take the field for Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama and has no problem with how the Buckeyes' team doctors handled his injury following a hard hit against Clemson in the semifinals.

"Those guys handled it the way I would have wanted it to be handled," he said, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "They did what they thought was best. I'll be good come Monday night."

Clemson linebacker James Skalski hit Fields near his ribcage in the second quarter of the game, and the Buckeyes quarterback remained on the ground in obvious pain. While Fields missed just one play, it was clear he played in pain throughout the remainder of the contest as he grimaced a number of times, limped off the field after throwing a touchdown pass and struggled to get on the exercise bike.

Skalski was ejected for targeting

The hard hit didn't stop Fields from torching the Tigers' secondary to the tune of 385 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception while also adding 42 yards on the ground in a blowout 49-28 win.

Still, the quarterback turned heads after the game when he talked about the process he went through with the team doctors.

"They didn't really tell me anything," he said, per Erick Smith of USA Today. "I took a shot or two and just ran back out there. But it's pretty much my whole right is sore. That's messed up. And a little, my hip. But they didn't really give me a diagnosis at all."

Fields' comments on Thursday suggest he was perfectly fine with the process, and the way he played is a testament to his toughness and individual ability. 

Ohio State will need him to once again be at his best to defeat the Crimson Tide, especially since they may be shorthanded because of COVID-19 issues. Head coach Ryan Day told reporters on Thursday the team is still unsure how many players will be sidelined, although he expects "plenty of players" to be available.

Quarterback Justin Fields is the primary reason Ohio State has an opportunity to play for a national championship. Star receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson form one of the nation's best duos on the outside. Running back Trey Sermon has put up gaudy numbers while helping the Buckeyes win the Big Ten and reach the national title game.

But the biggest improvement for this offense is not a glamorous one. It doesn't catch the attention of casual viewers on a play-by-play basis, even though the players are always on screen.

Ohio State's offensive line has started to dominate.

Early in the season, that was decidedly not the case. Although the Buckeyes had a ton of experience and high-level talent up front, the O-line played just OK.

Nebraska and Rutgers generated pressure on Fields consistently, and Penn State often disrupted running plays. Then a hyper-aggressive Indiana unit disorganized OSU's blockers. The Hoosiers totaled five sacks and three interceptions, and they put a lot more stress on Fields than the box score showed.

Through four games in a unique year, it certainly wasn't time to panic. For a program with championship expectations, however, the shortcomings left an uncomfortable feeling.

To really compete with Alabama or Clemson or another top team, that needed to change.

Because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols, even the chance for improvement required a delay.

Ohio State could not travel to Illinois, and three O-line starters missed the victory over Michigan State. Michigan's coronavirus issues struck the rivalry game, leaving a full month between the Buckeyes' semi-concerning Indiana win and the next game in which their first-choice offensive line took the field together: the Big Ten Championship Game.

With a conference title and College Football Playoff berth on the line, Ohio State had a razor-thin margin for error.

Fields didn't have a great performance. Most of that can be attributed to Northwestern's secondary, while Olave's absence didn't help. In the first half, Day's play-calling leaned on Fields to push the ball downfield to little success. He entered the locker room 9-of-20 with 101 yards and an interception.

But as the passing game's aggression went unrewarded, the offensive line showed its potential on the ground. Excluding three sacks, Ohio State had 123 rushing yards on 14 attempts. Sermon, then, controlled the second half. He ripped off gains of 65, 33, 28, 25 and 23 yards, also scoring twice en route to setting a program record with 331 yards.

In the wise (NSFW) words of Marshawn Lynch—condensed for brevity—Sermon and the offensive line ran through Northwestern over and over and over and over and over and over again.

That excellence up front changed the game, and it set the stage for redemption in two ways against Clemson. The obvious one was Ohio State lost to Clemson in last year's CFP. Plus, the Buckeyes struggled with blitz-happy Indiana, and Clemson coordinator Brent Venables is revered for his havoc defenses.

The offensive line—even absent left guard Harry Miller because of a positive coronavirus test—made sure it didn't matter.

Wyatt Davis said the O-line quickly knew it would play well.

"I would say right after that first series we knew," the All-American right guard told reporters. "That's typically when we know, but especially with this game, right after the first series, we knew that we could control the line of scrimmage. I feel like we did a great job of doing that."

Although Fields took a crushing hit from linebacker James Skalski, it happened when he scrambled. The line continually kept Fields clean—especially in the second half with his limited mobility—and created lanes for Sermon. Ohio State racked up 639 yards at a sizzling 8.9 per snap in the 49-28 victory.

Yes, smart game-planning also helped.

Clemson is known for stealing signals, which is both legal and attempted by every team. So, Ohio State huddled more. Or substituted late. Or sprinted to the line of scrimmage. That consistently caught Clemson's defense adjusting late or waiting for a call, providing a valuable edge to the offensive line too.

Sermon's early touchdown is a perfect example of how Ohio State could catch Clemson scrambling.

That's a complementary piece, though. The recent success is a product of the offensive line's flat-out being better.

"It wasn't always so much of a schematic deal," head coach Ryan Day told reporters. "It was more about getting a pads down, hands inside, running feet, all the things that come with that."

Whether the improvement continues against Alabama is the important question. The Crimson Tide have allowed just 3.2 yards per carry—the 11th-best mark nationally—so the Buckeyes are preparing for another great challenge.

No matter what happens, Ohio State wouldn't be in this position without the improved line. Perhaps it's only fitting the unit is likely to determine the outcome of the national title game.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is reportedly "interested in NFL jobs," despite a report from the weekend that suggested he was due to sign a long-term extension with the Wolverines. 

Brandon Marcello of 247Sports reported Monday that Harbaugh is eying a move back to the professional level after six seasons at Michigan. However, on Saturday, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic said there was "optimism" that he would sign an extension that would keep him in Ann Arbor through 2026.

The Wolverines crawled to a 2-4 record in 2020. 

One version of the reported extension included a "lower base salary with big incentives," though Harbaugh is reportedly one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. He earned $8.1 million of base salary entering the 2020 season, according to USA Today.

Harbaugh shut down rumors about his desire to leave Michigan when he spoke to reporters in December.

"Yeah, that question does come up and I tell them my plan is, [I'm] committed to Michigan," he said. "I have been, am and will remain. [Athletic director] Warde [Manuel] and I will talk at the end of the season on the current contract and that's the truth. That's where it stands."

Harbaugh led the San Francisco 49ers to a 44-19-1 record and three postseason runs (including a Super Bowl appearance) during his four years with the franchise before he was let go amid issues with then-general manager Trent Baalke. 

Harbaugh has been largely successful at Michigan, with a 49-22 record throughout his six seasons with the program, though he has not been able to lead the team to a victory over archrival Ohio State during his tenure. 

There are currently six head-coaching vacancies in the NFL: the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets and Detroit Lions. 

Despite suffering a rib injury against Clemson, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is expected to be on the field against Alabama for the national championship game.

"We definitely expect him to play," head coach Ryan Day told reporters Monday.

Day said he would not get into details about the specifics of the injury.

Fields took a big hit from Clemson's James Skalski, resulting in the linebacker being ejected for targeting. The quarterback stayed in the game but received treatment on the sideline, including multiple shots for pain tolerance.

"It's pretty much my whole right torso that's messed up and a little bit of my hip but they didn't really give me a diagnosis," he said after the game.

"After each and every throw, my ribs hurt," Fields added.

The pain didn't seem to affect Fields' play as he finished with 385 passing yards and six touchdowns to go with 42 rushing yards on eight carries.

It lifted the Buckeyes to a 49-28 upset victory and the school's first trip to the national title game since 2014.

"He's as tough and competitive of a guy as I've ever been around," Day said of Fields Monday.

Ohio State will need him once again to stick with Alabama, which has one of the best offenses in recent years with an average of 48.2 points per game and several elite playmakers like DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris.

If Fields cannot play in next Monday's game, the Buckeyes have few options considering no one else has thrown a pass for the team this season. C.J. Stroud does have a rushing touchdown this season and could be the next man up if needed.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is reportedly not interested in accepting NFL interviews during the 2021 offseason after leading the Buckeyes to the national championship game against Alabama.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the update Sunday.

Day's name popped up in the conversation Saturday when Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported he would be a candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are expected to fire Doug Marrone, if his OSU predecessor, Urban Meyer, opts to stay retired.

It sounds like the 41-year-old New Hampshire native doesn't have any imminent plans to leave the Buckeyes, though.

Day has done a terrific job with one of the country's top football programs since replacing the retired Meyer in 2019. He's guided the Buckeyes to a 23-1 record, including a 15-0 mark in Big Ten play, with the only loss coming to Clemson in last season's Fiesta Bowl during the playoff semifinals.

Ohio State avenged that defeat Friday when it scored a 49-28 victory over the Tigers to punch its ticket to the Jan. 11 national title game against Alabama.

Regardless of what happens against the Crimson Tide, Day and Co. have continued to build for future success with the nation's No. 2 recruiting class for 2021, per 247Sports. They trail only Bama in the rankings.

In November, Day explained he preferred the structure of college football to that of the NFL, which he said is built to enhance parity.

"I believe this is the best place in America, the best job in America," he told reporters.

All told, Day would immediately become a top-flight coaching candidate if he were to express interest in making the transition to the pro level, but it appears Buckeyes fans can rest easy for now.

Despite a rough 2020 season, Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines are reportedly extending their partnership. 

Per Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and Fox Sports, there's "optimism" that Harbaugh and the school will soon agree to a contract extension through the 2026 season. 

Feldman reported on Dec. 12 that Michigan was talking to Harbaugh about an extension that had a "lower base salary with big incentives."

Per USA Today, Harbaugh's $8.1 million base salary in 2020 before COVID-19 reductions was the fourth-highest among all coaches in college football. 

There was speculation as Michigan was limping its way to a 2-4 record this season that Harbaugh wanted to leave his alma mater. 

Harbaugh did his best to quiet those talks last month, telling reporters he remains committed to the Wolverines.

"Yeah, that question does come up and I tell them my plan is, [I'm] committed to Michigan," he said. "I have been, am and will remain. [Athletic director] Warde [Manuel] and I will talk at the end of the season on the current contract and that's the truth. That's where it stands."

There is one massive cloud that hovers over Harbaugh's resume: Ohio State. Michigan hasn't beaten its biggest rival since 2011. The Wolverines' average margin of defeat is 19.2 in six games against the Buckeyes under Harbaugh. 

But since being hired by Michigan in December 2014, Harbaugh has had some success with the program. The Wolverines are 49-22 over the past seven seasons, with bowl appearances in each of his first six years. 

Florida cornerback Jaheim Singletary is heading to Ohio State after announcing his commitment on Twitter on Saturday.

The 6'1", 170-pound defender earned a 5-star rating from 247Sports' Composite Rankings, which named him the No. 2 player in the state of Florida for 2022, the No. 5 cornerback and the No. 10 player in the country overall. The Jacksonville native picked Ohio State over offers from Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Auburn and several other high-profile schools.

In an interview with Bucknuts (h/t Zack Carpenter of Eleven Warriors), Singletary discussed the importance of so many OSU defensive backs making the leap to the NFL: "Ohio State is one of those schools who puts the top DBs in the league. Marshon Lattimore, Eli Apple, Malik Hooker, many more. They can get me closer to my goal of getting to the NFL and playing ball."

247Sports' Miami insider Andrew Ivins projected Singletary as a future first-round pick in the NFL draft, comparing him to Jalen Ramsey:

"A physically imposing defender with a 74-inch wingspan. Already built well. A ball magnet of sorts that picked off eight passes as a freshman and broke up eight more as a sophomore despite missing some games due to injury. Has the ability to not only redirect wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, but also flip his hips and run with them. Does a good job of timing his breaks once in coverage, but often times relies too much on his length to make plays. Will need to get faster at the next level. Should develop into an impact player for a Power 5 program and eventually play on Sundays."

That type of talent can go a long way for Ohio State as head coach Ryan Day looks to continue contending for Big Ten and national titles.

Securing Singletary came one day after the Buckeyes upset Clemson 49-28 in the College Football Playoff semifinal, signaling that Ohio State remains one of the premier programs in college football.

With Singletary set to join the fray, Ohio State continues to replenish its roster and bring in some of the truly elite athletes in high school football.

Linebacker Terrence Lewis is heading to Maryland after announcing his commitment Saturday. 

Lewis verbally committed to the Terrapins during NBC's All-American Bowl Declaration Show. 

Ranked a five-star recruit in the class of 2021 by 247Sports, Lewis is considered the top inside linebacker in the country, the fifth-best player in the state of Florida and the No. 16 overall prospect in the country.

He had previously committed to the University of Tennessee before reopening his recruitment in late November. 

"There's no love lost [and Tennessee is] still my top school as of now," Lewis tweeted. "But I need these next couple weeks to explore my options to make sure I make the best decision for my future."

The Miami Central star also held offers from Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and LSU among other top programs. 

247Sports' analyst Andrew Ivins compared the 6'1", 200-pound prospect to Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Lavonte David while projecting him as a second- or third-round NFL pick:

"Muscled-up defender with minimal, if any, body fat. Longer arms. A bit light, however, in the lower half. By far one of the more athletic linebackers in the class. Flies around the field chasing after ball carriers. Speed allows him to be a difference maker outside the hashes. Solid tackler for someone with his build that understands the importance of using leverage. Gets home on a blitz more often than not. Has flashed the ability to flip his hips and run in coverage, but hasn’t been asked to cover many tight ends at the high school level. Short-tempered player that can find a mean streak. Embraces contact." 

With Lewis' commitment, he becomes the Terps' first five-star prospect. 

Maryland head coach Mike Locksley is in the process of rebuilding the program. The team has finished under .500 in each of his first two seasons, but the 2-3 mark in 2020 did include wins over Penn State and Minnesota. 

Adding Lewis to the roster is a huge win for an under-the-radar Big Ten program. He can step in immediately and anchor the defense that will be looking to improve in 2021 after allowing 32 points per game this season. 

Following his dominant performance Friday in Ohio State's 48-29 win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal, quarterback Justin Fields divulged that he didn't receive a diagnosis for the injury he suffered during the game.

According to Erick Smith of USA Today, Fields said of the OSU team doctors: "They didn't really tell me anything. I took a shot or two and just ran back out there. But it's pretty much my whole right is sore, that's messed up. And a little, my hip. But they didn't really give me a diagnosis at all."

Fields suffered the injury during the second quarter when Clemson linebacker James Skalski hit him in the right side with the crown of his helmet.

Skalski was ejected for targeting:

Despite the brutal nature of the hit, Fields finished the game and ended up completing 22-of-28 passes for 385 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.

Despite the injury, Fields turned in his best showing of the season in what was the biggest game of the season for the Buckeyes to this point.

An even bigger game looms, however, as Fields and the Buckeyes will face the undefeated No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 11.

If Fields can lead the Buckeyes to an upset win over Alabama, it will result in Ohio State's first national title since the 2014 season.

Ohio State received no shortage of criticism entering the CFP since COVID-19 issues limited the team to just six games prior to Friday's contest. Some, including Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, expressed their belief that the Buckeyes didn't play enough games to earn a spot in the top four.

The CFP selection committee disagreed, and head coach Ryan Day's team rewarded them for their decision by knocking off a Clemson team that was favored to go all the way when the season began.

While there isn't yet a diagnosis for Fields' injury, it is difficult to envision it preventing Fields from playing in the biggest game of his college football career, especially after he gutted it out on New Year's Day.

Fields also has plenty to prove to NFL talent evaluators who have already locked in Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the No. 1 overall pick.

If Fields can fight through injury to put up big numbers in a win over Alabama just as he did over Clemson, perhaps he will create some level of controversy atop the 2021 NFL draft.

Numerous images of Indiana's Outback Bowl jerseys without any Big Ten logos or references appeared on social media Friday:

In response, Indiana head coach Tom Allen released a statement regarding the jerseys, noting that the team decided to prominently feature its mantra, LEO, which stands for "Love Each Other."

As Matthew Glenesk and Zach Osterman of the Indianapolis Star noted, there was speculation that Indiana was upset with the conference because of the Big Ten's decision to eliminate its minimum game requirement for its conference championship game, which allowed Ohio State to represent the East division instead of the Hoosiers.

That ultimately left Indiana out in the cold regarding a potential New Year's Six bowl game. The two championship game participants, Ohio State and Northwestern, are both in New Year's Six bowls.

Northwestern beat Auburn 35-19. Ohio State is facing Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, which is one of the two College Football Playoff Semifinals.

Indiana will play Ole Miss in the Outback Bowl on Saturday. The 6-1 Hoosiers' only loss was a 42-35 defeat to OSU.