As cancellations pile up in the Big Ten Conference, questions have arisen how the league would handle a situation where No. 4 Ohio State -- one cancellation away from falling below eligibility for the Big Ten title game -- fails to meet the six-game minimum to make a trip to Indianapolis on Dec. 19. But it now appears that Big Ten athletic directors are open to lowering the threshold if needed.
According to Stadium's Brett McMurphy, Big Ten athletic directors will likely change game requirements to allow an Ohio State team with just five games played in the game should Michigan -- who is currently dealing with COVID-19 issues -- cancel on the Buckeyes next weekend. The Wolverines were forced to cancel their game vs. Maryland that was scheduled for Saturday due to a COVID-19 outbreak, jeopardizing the status of next weekend's rivalry game in Columbus.
Given the brevity of the Big Ten's season, which began in late October, Ohio State, currently ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff standings, need those final contests to strengthen final four chances and missing the conference championship game could prove too much to overcome.
There is one way however the Buckeyes could be eligible to play for a conference title even if next weekend's game vs. Michigan is wiped out and the eligiblity thresholds for the Big Ten Championship game are unchanged, according to ESPN college football insider Heather Dinich.
"By playing at Michigan State on Saturday, Ohio State will get one game close to becoming eligible to playing in the Big Ten conference championship game,” Dinich said. “The Buckeyes need six games, which means they have to play against Michigan to end the season. If the Wolverines are unable to play because of COVID-19 issues, there’s still one more possibility.
“The Big Ten presidents and chancellors voted in November that if there are two healthy Big Ten teams available because their opponents canceled because of COVID-19, they can play each other. So if Ohio State can find another conference opponent to play on that final weekend and both teams agree, they can still finish the season with six wins and play in the Big Ten conference championship game.”
Selection committee chair Gary Barta said this week that number of games won't necessarily detract the Playoff committee from nixing the Buckeyes, but in the same breath, mentioned No. 5 Texas A&M winning its sixth game last weekend against LSU. The Aggies improved to 7-1 on Saturday with a win vs. Auburn.
“What I can tell you is there was discussion in the room about putting both Ohio State and Texas A&M in that fourth slot,” Barta said. “The firepower and the explosiveness of Justin Fields and Master Teague and Garrett Wilson, all those offensive weapons, the fact that they did beat the No. 12 team (Indiana) the last time they played. It was discussed that they played four and Texas A&M has played seven. That certainly was discussed."
Ohio State plays Michigan State on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 12 p.m. EST.
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