COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Top-ranked Ohio State is rested twice over and preparing to finish the regular season with a five-game stretch that culminates in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Buckeyes’ open weekends (Sept. 20 and Oct. 25) essentially broke the season into thirds for coach Ryan Day and his staff.

They focused extensive energy on the season-opening visit from Texas , faced Grambling State and Ohio University, and then got a break. After facing Washington, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin, Ohio State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) got another day off last weekend.

Now it’s Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers and 21st-ranked rival Michigan.

Day’s plan is for this final stretch to lead to a defense of last year’s national championship in the College Football Playoff.

First up, a visit from Penn

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