If Ohio State beats Texas in the Playoff semifinals, the sport will be assured of having consecutive national champions from outside the Sun Belt region for the first time in three decades. The possibility means the playoff's expansion from four to 12 teams accomplished one of its major goals,

The four head coaches remaining in this year’s College Football Playoff have a lot to gain by winning it all. Not just a national championship, and not just the bonus that comes with it. The other prize coming the winning head coach’s way is power and prestige at a time of upheaval in the sport and evolution within his profession.

The front-runner, the colossus, the team no opponent should want to face in College Football Playoff, hid in plain sight. No hiding now, Ohio State.