Ohio State is now dangerously close to being left out of the Big Ten Championship Game
By SDS Staff
Published:
The Ohio State Buckeyes game against the Illinois Illini was canceled Saturday due to more COVID-19 positive tests.
That means 2 Ohio State games have now been canceled, and the Big Ten rules say that if a team misses 3 games, it is not eligible for the conference championship game. If either of OSU’s remaining games against Michigan State (12/5) or Michigan (12/12) are canceled, the Buckeyes are out of the conference championship.
Ironically, the Buckeyes could still be eligible for the College Football Playoff despite not winning the Big Ten, but could a 5-0 Ohio State team make the Playoff?
Could the selection committee put the 5-0 Buckeyes in over a 2-loss Clemson (if the Tigers were to lose to Notre Dame again in the ACC Championship Game), a 2-loss Big 12 Champion or a 1-loss Texas A&M or Alabama (if Alabama were to lose to Florida in the SEC Championship Game)? How about an undefeated Cincinnati or the Pac-12 Champion?
2020 has brought chaos and mayhem to college football, but kudos to the sport for pushing through and playing this season anyway. Had the Big Ten started the season at the same time as the SEC, we wouldn’t have to worry about all this, but here we are.
One thing is for sure though — the Playoff Selection Committee will have its hands full this year finding the best 4 teams.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
