Let's get this out of the way quickly.
Ohio State is probably going to the College Football Playoff no matter what happens this weekend.
The Buckeyes are currently ranked No. 2 in the country and have the strongest resumé among one-loss teams at this point with victories over the committee's No. 5-, 6- and 9-ranked teams.
But Ohio State does not play this weekend for a Big Ten championship as Penn State will be the East's representative in Indianapolis. The Buckeyes must sit, wait and hope what they've done through 12 games is enough for them to be one of the final four teams when the CFP is revealed Sunday.
Most tend to believe right now Ohio State is a lock for the Playoff or about as close to it as possible. There are some potential outcomes this weekend, however, that would likely change those from being on the fence about the Buckeyes to being completely sold.
And that's what we're here for today, to present to you a rooting guide as an Ohio State fan for this weekend's Power 5 championship games. The weekend's full slate of games can be seen here, but here's how you should root this weekend.
Big Ten championship game — No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Penn State
Info: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. on FOX
Who to root for: Wisconsin
Breakdown: This one is pretty simple for Ohio State fans: Root as hard as you can for the Badgers.
Penn State is really the only team in the country that currently has an argument to be taken ahead of Ohio State since the Nittany Lions beat the Buckeyes head-to-head and, if they beat Wisconsin, they'll have a Big Ten championship on their resumé as well.
Should the Badgers win, it's still hard for them to make the College Football Playoff considering they're already stuck behind Ohio State and Michigan — the two teams which beat them this season. If Wisconsin wins Saturday night, the Buckeyes will almost officially punch their ticket.
Pac-12 championship game — No. 4 Washington vs. No. 8 Colorado
Info: Friday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. on FOX
Who to root for: Colorado if you want Ohio State to secure a bid; Washington if you want Michigan left out.
Breakdown: This is a bit more complicated. Ohio State can probably wrap up a CFP bid before Saturday even begins should the Buffaloes upset the Huskies. But a win by Colorado means Michigan is still very much alive for a Playoff berth despite last weekend's loss in Columbus.
If you want to assure the Buckeyes make the CFP — which you should — root for Colorado and then you can enjoy your Saturday. If rooting against Michigan is more your style, then go ahead and root for Washington.
De-facto Big-12 championship game — No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 10 Oklahoma State
Info: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 12:30 p.m. on FOX
Who to root for: Oklahoma
Breakdown: The Big 12 is all but eliminated from the Playoff, but a win by Oklahoma only enhances Ohio State's resumé since the Buckeyes blasted the Sooners in Norman earlier this season. Should the Cowboys win this game, Oklahoma likely falls out of the Top 10 and that slightly hurts the Buckeyes.
ACC championship game — No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 23 Virginia Tech
Info: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. on ABC
Who to root for: Virginia Tech
Breakdown: This game doesn't really mean much when it comes to Ohio State — the Pac-12 and Big 10 championship games carry more weight — but if you're a Buckeye fan sitting there on Saturday night still needing to see a little bit of chaos, root for the Hokies. A loss by Clemson ensures Ohio State a Playoff spot as the Tigers would have two losses.
SEC championship game — No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 15 Florida
Info: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. on CBS
Who to root for: Alabama
Breakdown: The committee certainly doesn't want to see Florida win this game. It'd create a bit of chaos for everyone involved.
Alabama is going to the Playoff win or lose, so Ohio State fans should just root for the Tide, let them earn the No. 1 seed and be on their way.
