Big Ten East: Ohio State, Penn State roll and race getting interesting
Ohio State and Penn State stay hot, and Michigan State now a contender?
In week 6, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions kept on rolling and sit atop the Big East with 3-0 conference records. But the Michigan State Spartans upset their “big brother” the Michigan Wolverines 14-10 on Saturday, and now the race for the division title is really getting interesting.
Heading into the season most thought the Big Ten East race would be decided by a round robin tournament between Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan. Now Michigan State is in the mix as well with a 2-0 conference record and has a win over one of the “Big 3”.
Mark Dantonio’s squad proved their overall 4-1 record isn’t a fluke and that they are once again a contender. Now it is a four team race to see who plays in the Big Ten Championship Game.
And the fun is about to begin soon with Penn State hosting Michigan October 21st. That is the beginning of a tough stretch for the Nittany Lions. They visit the Buckeyes the following week and then play the Spartans.
Ohio State will have to play Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan in a five-week stretch. However, the Buckeyes’ schedule is more favorable than the Nittany Lions’ because they don’t have to play a division contender in consecutive weeks.
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Head to head matchups will almost certainly determine which team represents the East in the conference championship game. But with four teams as legitimate contenders, that could keep the Big Ten from being represented in the College Football Playoff. If a two loss team wins the conference championship that will probably be the case.
Put simply, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State can’t afford to lose another game if they want to be included in the “Final Four” at the end of the season. Penn State may be able to afford a loss, but probably not if they don’t win the Big Ten title.
There is a chance the Nittany Lions could be 11-1 and be left out of the Big Ten Championship Game. The Buckeyes made the playoff in 2016 when that was the case, but with the way the playoff situation is shaping up this year it looks like only conference champions may be included.
Next: 3 questions for second half of the season
It is setting up to be an exciting second half of the season, with important conference games on tap and so many teams in contention. But wouldn’t it be a shame if the Big Ten East beats up on each other and every team is left out of the playoff? Simply because it is the strongest division in college football.