Coming off a tremendous win against Penn State has the Ohio State Buckeyes simply needing to win out to reach the Big Ten title game and clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff. But once there, a favorable schedule could be the key to winning a title. 

How the first and second rounds shape up will directly affect the quality of competition the Buckeyes will face. That means Ohio State fans need to know who to root for and against entering college football's Week 11 action.

Here are the top few games from this weekend that Ohio State fans must watch as the Buckeyes look to push their way into the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff field.

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No. 11 Alabama vs. No. 15 LSU

Rooting Interest: Alabama

Ohio State probably isn't overly afraid of either Alabama or LSU, given that neither team has a well-rounded offense, trustworthy quarterback, or effective defense. The Buckeyes will have advantages across the board compared to either team. And while Jalen Milroe's athleticism is enough to scare a coaching staff, first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer has given rivals little reason to believe he'll be the one to unlock his immense talents.

The Buckeyes should rather play Alabama because they lack starpower outside of Milroe and Ryan Williams. Even though LT Overton went top-10 in my most recent mock draft, he's someone the Buckeyes can better contain than Abdul Carter.

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On the other side, it'd be good to avoid an LSU offense that can produce chunk plays through the air with an elite tackle duo. Garrett Nussmeier is a good but not elite quarterback, so he'd at least give the Tigers the chance to compete in a back-and-forth affair.

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Michigan vs. No. 8 Indiana

Rooting Interest: Indiana

Seeing Michigan fail to qualify for a bowl game would be hilarious for Ohio State fans, but this is more about preserving Indiana's perfect record. 

The Buckeyes want Indiana to continue winning until their matchup on Nov. 23. The best possible thing for Ohio State is for the Hoosiers to look like the upstart Cinderella as long as possible.

Then, when they face off, Ohio State needs to Big Brother them. If the Buckeyes lose against Indiana, then we'll be left wondering whether the Buckeyes can be the third Big Ten team in the Playoff. It's not a guarantee a third will make it.

Would the committee keep the Buckeyes out instead of a team like Tennessee, Ole Miss, or the loser of Alabama/LSU? Probably not, but things could change if Indiana looks mortal between now and late November and still beat the Buckeyes.

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No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 16 Ole Miss

Rooting Interest: Ole Miss

Similar to the other SEC matchup listed, I don't think Ohio State should fear either team in this one. But Georgia is still a looming powerhouse, even as Carson Beck tanks his NFL outlook. Facing Kirby Smart in a primetime game is a daunting task, whereas Lane Kiffin is a much meeker opponent.

Make no mistake, though. Ole Miss has the better skill players at the top of the roster in this game. Nevertheless, I think Ohio State can win the trench battle enough to win more comfortably against a Kiffin-led team than against Georgia.