A Buckeyes win would give the Big Ten back-to-back national champions for the first time since 1942, when the league was called the Western Conference. Paul Brown-coached Ohio State went 9-1 that year and was the third straight national champion from the conference. Voters crowned Minnesota in 1940 and ’41.

With just the College Football Playoff national championship game remaining, Before The Snap breaks down the x-factors for the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will be sent off by fans on Friday ahead of their CFP Championship Game Monday. Here are more details on the event.