No. 1 Oregon has made a splash in its inaugural season in the revamped 18-team Big Ten conference by qualifying for the championship game in 2024. This is a remarkable achievement for the Ducks, who have quickly established themselves as a powerhouse in their new conference. But the big question remains: who will they face in the championship clash?
As we head into the final week of the regular season, No. 2 Ohio State is in a favorable position to secure a rematch against Oregon. The Buckeyes need to defeat their archrival, Michigan, on Saturday to set up this highly anticipated showdown. Earlier in the season, Oregon edged out Ohio State with a nail-biting 32-31 victory on October 12, and fans are eager to see if history will repeat itself.
Big Ten championship scenarios 2024
Four teams are still in the mix for the Big Ten championship game, and each has a unique path to get there. Let’s break down the scenarios for these contenders as we approach Rivalry Week.
Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten)
- The Ducks have already clinched their spot in the Big Ten championship game. A victory against Washington in Week 14 would secure them the No. 1 seed in the conference.
- However, if Oregon falls to Washington, the Ducks could drop to the No. 2 seed if Ohio State, Indiana, and Penn State all win on Saturday. In this scenario, Oregon would sit behind the Buckeyes.
- Should both Oregon and Ohio State lose, the Ducks would become the No. 2 seed, with either Penn State or Indiana taking the top spot. The determining factor would be the cumulative conference winning percentage, which currently favors Penn State.
Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
- For Ohio State, the path is straightforward: a win against Michigan guarantees their place in the championship game.
- If the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines, and Oregon loses to Washington while Penn State beats Maryland and Indiana defeats Purdue, we could see a four-way tie for first place. In this case, Ohio State would take the No. 1 seed due to having the highest cumulative conference winning percentage.
- Conversely, if Ohio State loses to Michigan, they will need both Penn State and Indiana to lose in their respective games to keep their championship hopes alive.
Penn State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
- The Nittany Lions must secure a victory against Maryland and hope for a Michigan win over Ohio State to reach the Big Ten championship game. Penn State’s cumulative conference winning percentage is currently higher than Indiana’s, which could be crucial.
- If the Ducks and Nittany Lions both win, and Ohio State and Oregon lose, Penn State could potentially snag the No. 1 seed due to a close cumulative winning percentage.
Indiana (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
- Indiana’s road is a bit more complicated. They need to defeat Purdue, but they also require Ohio State to beat Michigan and Maryland to take down Penn State to make it to the championship game. Unfortunately, the cumulative conference winning percentage does not favor the Hoosiers, making their path more challenging.
Who will play in the Big Ten championship game?
As we look ahead, our prediction is that Ohio State will triumph over Michigan, potentially with a score of 30-13. If this happens, it would eliminate any chance for Penn State or Indiana to reach the championship game. This outcome would set the stage for a thrilling rematch between the Buckeyes and Ducks, a game that fans have been eagerly anticipating since their last encounter.
The stakes are high. The winner of this championship clash will not only earn bragging rights but also likely secure the No. 1 seed in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, complete with a first-round bye. The quarterfinal matchups will kick off on January 1 at the iconic Rose Bowl, adding even more excitement to this already thrilling postseason.
Big Ten cumulative conference winning percentage
Understanding the cumulative conference winning percentage is vital as it serves as the fourth tiebreaker in the Big Ten. Here’s how the four contenders stack up as we head into Rivalry Week:
| OPPONENT | OREGON | INDIANA | OSU | PENN ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | – | – | 7-1 | – |
| Illinois | 5-3 | – | – | 5-3 |
| Iowa | – | – | 5-3 | |
| Maryland | 1-7 | 1-7 | – | 1-7 |
| Michigan | 4-4 | 4-4 | 4-4 | |
| Michigan St. | 3-5 | 3-5 | 3-5 | |
| Minnesota | – | – | – | 4-4 |
| Nebraska | – | 3-5 | 3-5 | |
| Northwestern | – | 2-6 | 2-6 | |
| Ohio State | 7-1 | 7-1 | – | 7-1 |
| Oregon | – | – | 8-0 | |
| Penn State | – | – | 7-1 | |
| Purdue | 0-8 | 0-8 | 0-8 | 0-8 |
| Rutgers | – | – | – | |
| UCLA | 3-6 | 3-6 | – | 3-6 |
| USC | – | – | – | 4-5 |
| Wisconsin | 3-5 | – | – | 3-5 |
| Washington | 4-4 | 4-4 | – | 4-4 |
| RECORD | 30-43 | 27-46 | 39-33 | 31-43 |
| Win % | .410 | .370 | .541 | .419 |
The Big Ten championship game is set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on December 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Fans can catch all the action live on CBS. With so much on the line, this game promises to be a thrilling spectacle that college football fans won’t want to miss!
