Big Ten Banter: The Narrow Path for Both Michigan, Ohio State to Make Playoff

The winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game appears guaranteed to make the Playoff. There is a way for both teams to make it – but Ohio State fans won’t like it.

The Big Ten’s College Football Playoff bid comes down to one game. “The Game.” As No. 2 Ohio State (10-0) and No. 3 Michigan (10-0) both enter this weekend undefeated, one team is assured a chance to compete for a national championship. There’s actually still a narrow path for both to earn a spot in the field.

Grab some earmuffs and cover your eyes, Columbus, you’re not going to like what you’re about to read. The only chance the Big Ten steals two of the four spots in the College Football Playoff is if Michigan beats Ohio State on the final Saturday of the regular season.

Before everyone points out the obvious, it’s safe to assume both the Buckeyes and Wolverines take care of business this weekend. Ohio State hosts Minnesota (5-5) and Michigan travels to Maryland (6-4). Neither team should have any trouble getting to 11-0 on Saturday.

Ready to trudge forward? Good.

The selection committee has made it apparent that it has little respect for Michigan’s schedule. Committee chair Boo Corrigan essentially said as much following the latest College Football Playoff rankings, revealed on Tuesday.

“Yeah, again, looking at Ohio State, the wins over Penn State that they now share with Michigan, Ohio State has got the win over Notre Dame, 5-0 against teams with winning records, top 5 defense,” Corrigan said.

Michigan’s approach to scheduling, loading up on cupcakes to remain undefeated for as long as possible, is not helping its case. Ohio State traveled to No. 19 Notre Dame to add a quality win to the resume early in the season. Neither team got much help from their Big Ten brethren, outside of a No.12 Penn State (8-2).

If Ohio State beats Michigan and avenges the losses from the previous two seasons, Michigan’s chance at a Playoff bid is done. The lone victory worth noting is the 24-15 performance against the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium.

If Michigan beats Ohio State, the Buckeyes would have the non-conference win against the Fighting Irish as a safety net. But Ohio State still would need some help elbowing their way into the four-team field. No. 4 Florida State (10-0) would likely need to suffer a loss at some point. It wouldn’t hurt if No. 7 Texas (9-1) and No. 8 Alabama (9-1) added a second loss to their respective records.

When it comes to Pac-12 contenders No. 5 Washington (10-0) and No. 6 Oregon (9-1), the West Coast version of OSU might be the Buckeyes’ greatest ally. No. 11 Oregon State plays both the Huskies and Ducks in the final two weeks of the season. The Buckeyes would be eternally grateful if the Beavers pulled off back-to-back upsets.

Right now, nobody in Columbus or Ann Arbor is thinking about the Big Ten earning two bids. The primary goal, on both sides, is to bludgeon the opponent into a bloody pulp on that final Saturday in November. To the winner goes a Big Ten Championship Game berth and virtually guarantees a place in the College Football Playoff, because neither Ohio State or Michigan is likely lose to the Big Ten West representative (likely No. 16 Iowa).

It’s a live-or-die mentality for Ohio State and Michigan. That’s the way God intended for “The Game” to be played.

The Big Ten is a different story. No, the conference isn’t exactly strapped for cash, but commissioner Tony Petitti isn’t going to turn down the extra revenue generated from swiping a second bid. Have you ever seen Scrooge McDuck turn his nose at a gold coin?

Plus, it would mark the second straight year in which the Big Ten sent two teams into the College Football Playoff. That’s a pretty strong flex to the rest of the country.

The path for the Big Ten to get multiple teams into the field might is hidden in a forest of “ifs” and “buts,” but it exists. You just have to squint to see it. 

Related Big Ten Stories

• BIG TEN FOOTBALL WEEK 12 POINT SPREADS: The opening lines for the Big Ten's Week 12 games are out. Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are all heavy favorites. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN POWER RANKINGS: Once again, the Big Ten East comes down to Michigan and Ohio State. See who else is on the rise and fall in the conference. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN DAILY (NOV. 15): Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard had an interesting message for Tom Izzo following a loss to Duke on Tuesday night. CLICK HERE
• FUTURE BIG TEN SCHEDULES RELEASED: With Washington, Oregon, USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten, new football schedules for 2024-28 have been released. CLICK HERE