Why other Big Ten teams should hope Ohio State makes B1G title game

If Ohio State doesn’t make the Big Ten title game because of the stupid rule forcing teams have to play at least six games to qualify, the whole conference loses. Not just the Buckeyes.

Ohio State has to play their final two games of the season in order to make the Big Ten Championship game. That’s as the rules set forth by the conference currently dictate. They must play against Michigan State and TTUN and win both games to qualify.

They’re going to be able to play tomorrow. The game against TTUN is still in question. TTUN is dealing with COVID problems. Whether or not they are bad enough to warrant canceling The Game remains to be seen. If that does happen, the entire conference loses.

The reason the conference loses is that their best team won’t get a chance to claim a conference title. That could hurt Ohio State’s chance to make the CFP. If the Buckeyes don’t make the CFP because of the conference’s dumb rule, the rest of the teams don’t get shared playoff revenue.

Ohio State making the Playoff helps all the other Big Ten teams in future years.

In the history of the Playoff era, only two Big Ten teams have made the Playoff; Ohio State and Michigan State. The rest of the conference hasn’t been able to break through. But every single year, the conference is in the discussion. Ohio State’s resume is enhanced every year because of the strength of the conference.

The rest of the conference should hope the Buckeyes make the Playoff because it keeps them relevant. It keeps their chances high in other years because it creates the perception that the Big Ten is a good conference. That perception matters to the committee.

If The Game isn’t played, the Big Ten won’t keep that rule in place. They will be changing the rule to make sure that Ohio State plays that championship game. The rest of the conference should back that rule change.