Ohio State heads into the national title game as a projected 5.9-point favorite over Notre Dame, per the updated SP+ ratings. That's a pretty solid disagreement with the current ESPN BET line of Ohio State -9.5, though it doesn't take into account Notre Dame's increasing injury issues. (SP+ isn't designed to react to injuries.)

SportsbookWire.com's Alex White is zoned in on Thursday's College Football Playoff semifinal when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1) face the Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2) in the Orange Bowl. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.