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Could We Really Be Looking At An Indiana-Northwestern Big Ten Championship?

BSabitt

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 14: Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald huddles up with the team before the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Northwestern Wildcats on November 14, 2020, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)

It’s starting to look like the Big Ten kind of botched this whole year, and the result may just be the worst Big Ten Championship of all-time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the underdog, but I’m also a fan of the best teams in each conference representing said conference. I’m afraid we might not get that in the Big Ten this year.

The Big Ten rushed to create a season, with eight games played per team. Because of the rushed schedule, there isn’t much wiggle room for rescheduling games after COVID cancellations. They also made a rule that teams must play at least six games to compete in the Big Ten Championship game. This puts the Ohio State Buckeyes in jeopardy of missing out.

Ohio State has played just four games with two weeks left. They are also struggling with COVID as we speak. Coach Ryan Day will not be with his team this week against Michigan State due to a positive COVID test. Now, Ohio State’s game against Michigan next weekend could be in trouble. Michigan just had to cancel their game against Maryland for this weekend.

So, what happens if Ohio State doesn’t complete six games? We are likely looking at a Big Ten Championship between Northwestern and Indiana.

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Northwestern is firmly in control of the Big Ten West. All they have to do is win one more game, and they are automatically in the championship game. Even if Northwestern loses out, it would take a cascade of cancellations to keep them out of the championship. Especially considering Wisconsin will be ineligible for the game.

Without Ohio State, the Indiana Hoosiers would have a clear path to the Big Ten Championship in the Big Ten East. Indiana would just have to beat Wisconsin or Purdue in their remaining two games. This could be a little tough, as their QB Michael Penix Jr. was ruled out for the year with a torn ligament in his knee, but they should be able to handle it.

There is a lot to unpack here, but the main takeaway is just how bad the Big Ten botched this whole thing. We could be very close to a championship game of Indiana-Northwestern, instead of having a real contender (Ohio State) play. If that’s not the most 2020 thing I’ve ever heard, I don’t know what is.

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