The game between #4 Ohio State and Michigan was canceled on Tuesday. Since the cancellation announcement, there were rumblings about the possibility of OSU playing a different opponent this weekend prior to the Big Ten Championship weekend.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten conference officially abolished the six-game minimum rule for teams to be eligible for the conference Championship Game. The logic behind the decision was that Ohio State would have won the East Division regardless of a win or loss against Michigan. The decision officially crowns the Buckeyes as the Big Ten East Champions for the fourth consecutive season.
With the rule no longer in place, and OSU securing a game on Dec. 19 against the #14 Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio State really would not have much to gain by playing a game this weekend. I reached out to an Ohio State Associate AD in charge of football communications for confirmation on the status of this weekend. “No game” was his response.
Northwestern is scheduled to host Illinois on Saturday, but that game is expected to be canceled by the Big Ten, ensuring that both the Buckeyes and Wildcats have the same amount of time to prepare for the title game, and limit exposure.
The Buckeyes finish the regular season with a 5-0 record and are currently ranked fourth in the College Football Playoff rankings. While a case can be made about the lack of games and small sample size, the Playoff Committee seems to respect OSU’s win over Indiana, and the Big Ten as a whole, as four teams are currently ranked in the top 25, with one other receiving votes.
If Ohio State beats Northwestern and wins their fourth consecutive Big Ten Championship, the committee is likely to select Ohio State as one of its top four teams.
Ryan Day and Ohio State will use this week to practice and prepare for Pat Fitzgerald’s 5-1 Wildcats. This week off will also be beneficial for players and coaches who have missed time recently due to COVID-19.
Ohio State vs. Northwestern will take place next Saturday, Dec. 19, at Noon ET on Fox.