As things wind down in the Big 10 season, it looks like we are most certainly heading for a split championship. Of course, with a few games remaining, that isn’t set in stone. However, some seriously shocking things would have to happen in order for one team to earn a “non-shared” Big 10 championship. So, in lieu of my usual conference wrap-up (which will continue next week), I want to provide a picture of how the Big 10 season could/should finish by exploring some different scenarios.
Big Ten Standings
TEAM
CONF
OVERALL
4-1
8-1
4-1
8-1
3-1
7-1
3-1
6-2
3-2
5-3
2-2
6-2
2-2
5-3
2-2
4-4
1-3
5-3
0-4
4-4
0-5
1-8
** **OHIO STATE
Remaining games: Penn State, @ Iowa, Michigan
Share: Win out
Outright: Win out and losses by Wisconsin and Michigan State.
Synopsis: Winning the Big 10 outright does not seem like a likely scenario for the Buckeyes. First, they need to beat an Iowa team that looked like world beaters against Michigan State last Saturday. If they do manage to get past the Hawkeyes, they will need Wisconsin and Michigan State to lose one of their remaining games. Wisconsin has 3 games that are about as guaranteed as you can get, however, Michigan can provide a tough hurdle for the Badgers. Michigan State is in a pretty similar situation. Their only real test coming down the stretch is Penn State. Expect both teams to win out and force a share of the Big 10 title.
IOWA
Remaining games: @Indiana, @Northwestern, Ohio State, @Minnesota
Share: Win out
Outright: Win out and losses by Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Synopsis: The Hawkeyes and Ohio State are in virtually identical situations. If Iowa can manage to beat Ohio State, they will need Michigan State and Wisconsin to lose in order to claim an outright Big 10 title. Again, this doesn’t seem likely, as both teams should take care of their toughest matches.
WISCONSIN
Remaining games: @Purdue, Indiana, @Michigan, Northwestern
Share: Win out
Outright: Win out and losses by Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan State.
Synopsis: Wisconsin is really in a tricky situation. Ohio State and Iowa play each other, so, one of those teams is guaranteed a second loss. However, the Badgers would need the winner of the Ohio State/Iowa game to lose another game by the end of the year. That does not seem likely. Wisconsin has the toughest road to an outright title.
MICHIGAN STATE
Remaining games: Minnesota, Purdue, @Penn State
Share: Win out
Outright: Win out and losses by Ohio State, Iowa, and Wisconsin
Synopsis: Michigan State and Wisconsin, like Iowa and Ohio State, are in very similar situations. Michigan State would need Wisconsin to lose, and the winner of the Ohio State/Iowa game to lose. Again, this just doesn’t seem likely at all.
Keep in mind that the 2 loss teams do, technically, have an outside shot at sharing the Big 10 title. However, I wouldn’t put money on it actually happening. On a side note, it is so refreshing to know that this will not be a problem next year. With the addition of the Big 10 title game, we will have a definitive champion in the years to come. Now, if we could just fix the B.C.S. (yes, this statement is foreshadowing my next column)!