Race to the top

Ohio State and Penn State have remained in the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll since the season began and are the conference’s best shot to make the playoffs. This weekend will be a chance to show what they’ve got.

No. 5 Ohio State at Nebraska: The Buckeyes have to make up for the loss of running back J.K. Dobbins and defensive end Chase Young, but star quarterback Justin Fields is back, and Ohio State might reload better than anyone in the country. Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon and Master Teague III, recovered from an Achilles injury, can handle Dobbins’ workload. Much-maligned Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez returns for his third season as the starter, but outside of rushing and receiving threat Wan’Dale Robinson, there aren’t many proven playmakers on offense.

No. 8 Penn State at Indiana: For the Nittany Lions, questions abound on both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca was brought in from Minnesota this offseason and looks to take advantage of what could be one of the country’s most devastating rushing attacks. Despite the sudden loss of star running back Journey Brown, who will miss the season because of an undisclosed medical condition, PSU has a strong group of backs behind him, led by former blue-chippers Noah Cain and Devyn Ford. How quarterback Sean Clifford, who had an up-and-down sophomore season, performs is the biggest question. Indiana returns star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and receiver Whop Philyor, along with an experienced defense.