Big Ten Championship Game scenarios for Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota

The Iowa Hawkeyes line up for a play during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Iowa Hawkeyes line up for a play during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are College Football Playoff implications on the line in the Big Ten this weekend but there are five teams still alive for a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game too.

It all comes down to this. The Game pits Ohio State and Michigan where a spot in the College Football Playoff may be secured by the victor, but the loser may not necessarily be eliminated from the conversation.

After the rivalry game was canceled due to COVID last year, a pair of 10-1 teams meeting with this much on the line should make for a thrilling game from the Big House in Ann Arbor. The winner of The Game will clinch a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game on top of securing a spot in the top four of the next CFP rankings.

But who will they play?

Big Ten Championship Game scenarios

  • Ohio State: Win and in
  • Michigan: Win and in
  • Wisconsin: Win and in
  • Iowa: Win and Wisconsin loss
  • Minnesota: Win, Wisconsin loss, Iowa loss and Purdue win

The Big Ten East is the simplest way to decide that division, but the West is where it gets a little complicated. Iowa and Wisconsin are tied atop the Big Ten West standings with 6-2 records, but the Badgers hold the head-to-head win over the Hawkeyes.

Wisconsin travels to Minnesota to continue the oldest rivalry in the FBS.

Iowa travels to Nebraska where they are an underdog to Scott Frost’s snake-bit Huskers that continue to lose

Purdue hosts Indiana for the Old Oaken Bucket.

Wisconsin is the favorite to win the West with the way they’ve played the second half of the season, but Iowa has a shot too and will be rooting for the Gophers to upset the Badgers.

For Minnesota, they need to beat Wisconsin, have Nebraska beat Iowa and then have Purdue beat Indiana. Can all three happen? It’s not impossible and if you like chaos, this is the Big Ten Championship Game scenario you’ll be rooting on.

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