With three unbeatens in top 10, Big Ten sets itself up to end playoff drought

Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State give the Big Ten three top-10 teams at the halfway point of the season, and all of these teams have their sights set on ending the conference’s two-year drought in the College Football Playoff.

The No. 4 Buckeyes (6-0, 30) and No. 6 Badgers (6-0, 3-0) have been particularly impressive. Ohio State has the biggest collection of individual talent and has not been challenged. Wisconsin has used a collective effort to post four shutouts and, in the process, put up some of the most impressive defensive numbers in years.

No. 7 Penn State (6-0, 3-0), which cleared its first big hurdle at Iowa last week, plays Michigan at home this week and Minnesota before taking on the Buckeyes.

The biggest games are still to be played. Ohio State must face Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan. The Badgers, in addition to Ohio State, have key divisional games against Iowa and upstart Minnesota.

Florida

The Gators (6-1, 3-1 SEC), coming off a 14-point loss at LSU, hope to regroup at South Carolina (3-3, 2-2). It’s the first of four games against Eastern Division foes that will determine Florida’s season. Win them all and Florida would advance to the SEC championship game in Atlanta for the third time in the past five years.

West Virginia

The Mountaineers secondary will face its toughest test this week against Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) receivers CeeDee Lamb and Charleston Rambo. West Virginia (3-3, 1-2) has surrendered only two 100-yard receiving games, while Lamb and Rambo have three apiece.

Appalachian State

The No. 24 Mountaineers (5-0, 2-0) are ranked in the Top 25 poll for the second time ever. They reached No. 25 last year for one week before getting blown out by Georgia Southern, 34-14. The Mountaineers have a legitimate chance to run the table and have an unbeaten season.