It will be a Big XII officiating crew for tonight’s College Football Playoff Championship.

Why does that matter? Because Ohio State might be the one to suffer here.

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The Big XII officials this year have been whistle-happy and Ohio State’s semifinal in the College Football Playoff is the evidence here.

A total of 12 penalties for 115 yards were called by the Big XII officiating crew in No. 2 Clemson’s loss to No. 3 Ohio State. Of the dozen penalties, nine penalties (for 95 yards) were called against the Big Ten team.

That is massively distorted number and one that should have the Buckeyes a bit wary going against top-ranked Alabama. Ohio State will have to be aggressive on defensive to neutralize Alabama’s consistent offense.

If the officials whistle a tight game, it might be devastatingly bad for Ohio State, especially in the backend.

Ohio State averaged six penalties a game for an average of 58 yards per game during the Big Ten regular season.