COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Transfer running back Trey Sermon was easy to overlook during the first four games of Ohio State’s pandemic-shortened season. But nobody is overlooking him now as he and the Buckeyes prepare to face top-ranked Alabama in the national championship game on Monday night. Sermon had 232 rushing yards and zero touchdowns in the first four games. The Oklahoma transfer has 636 yards with four TDs in the three games since. He broke school records by rushing for 331 yards and two scores in the Big Ten Championship game win over Northwestern last month.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 16 Minnesota plays at No. 5 Iowa on Sunday. That’s a rematch of a stirring game the teams played on Christmas night. The Golden Gophers won 102-95 in overtime. Brandon Johnson made eight 3-pointers for Minnesota, which overcame 32 points and 17 rebounds from Iowa star Luka Garza. The Big Ten’s other two top-10 teams are scheduled to play Tuesday night when No. 8 Wisconsin visits No. 10 Michigan. The Wolverines are unbeaten and have won four straight games by double digits.
UNDATED (AP) — Alabama star receiver Jaylen Waddle has returned to practice but it’s not clear yet whether he will play in Monday night’s national championship game against Ohio State. Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian says Waddle practiced on Tuesday, but he deferred questions on his status to coach Nick Saban, who didn’t address the media on Wednesday. Waddle hasn’t played since breaking his right ankle while returning the opening kickoff against Tennessee on Oct. 4. One of the nation’s most dangerous return men, Waddle had surgery after the game. In his absence, DeVonta Smith went on to put up big enough numbers to win the Heisman Trophy on Tuesday.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Courtney Shaw and Veronica Burton each had 15 points and nine rebounds, and No. 22 Northwestern beat Wisconsin 80-55. Northwestern took its first double-digit lead during a 10-0 run in the second quarter. Lindsey Pulliam and Sydney Wood scored 14 points apiece for Northwestern. Shaw was 6 of 7 from the field to reach a new career high in scoring. Jordan Hamilton had eight assists and Wood blocked three shots. Freshman Kate Thompson had a team-high nine points for Wisconsin. It was the first of four straight ranked opponents for the Badgers, including No. 19 Indiana on Sunday.
