The announcement was made by Vicky Chun, the Thomas A. Yale announced that Brendan Faherty, a Guilford, Conn., native, has been named the Loring Family & Rudolph L. Don’t be surprised if the Big Ten is the first conference to have two teams in the playoff.Photo and story courtesy of Yale Sports Publicity But if two Big Ten teams reach the playoff, it’s only going to make OSU and the rest of the Big Ten look even stronger. Of course, all these scenarios are hypothetical. 2 OSU and then the Big Ten championship would lock the Wolverines into the top four. Then again, Michigan controls its own destiny. With a couple miracle losses in the top ten, Michigan has a very outside chance to be selected by OSU in the college football playoff. However, Michigan has a defense that could neutralize any offense in college football. Quarterback Wilton Speight’s season status is uncertain, leaving the Wolverine defense without an identity at the moment. Heisman Trophy contender Jabrill Peppers is one of the most versatile players in the NCAA, having played at several different positions on offense and defense. The Wolverines have a ferocious defense that ranks first in the nation in total defense and first in scoring defense. A Big Ten championship matchup against the likes of Penn State, Michigan or OSU could easily propel the Badgers into the top four.Īlthough it’s a stretch, Michigan has a chance to reach the playoff even with a loss to OSU. Wisconsin has been strong against every team, barely losing to both OSU and Michigan.
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The Badgers’ schedule has been full of challenges with LSU, Michigan, OSU, Nebraska and a potential Big Ten championship opponent. The playoff committee is keeping its eye on Wisconsin, who is currently one spot ahead of Penn State at No. With a win over OSU and a blowout win over Iowa earlier in the year, the Big Ten Championship Game could put Penn State in a great position to reach the playoff at the fourth spot. Its only losses came against Pittsburgh, who just beat then-No. Penn State has had a tough schedule this year, and is sitting pretty at the No. If Penn State wins out, the Nittany Lions will represent the Big Ten East in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Nittany Lion defense has also stepped up its play since its early season loss to Michigan. Former freshman All-American running back Saquon Barkley has become a household name this season with more than 1,100 yards and 15 total touchdowns. Penn State has proven this year that it deserves some recognition. Here are some scenarios in which teams could make the playoff along with OSU. gives OSU a 56 percent chance to make the playoffs as is, which are the third-best odds in the nation.
If OSU wins out, the Buckeyes could very well clinch a playoff spot.
Considering the competition left on the schedules of the Big Ten teams in contention for the final four, the playoff committee could have a difficult decision to make on Dec. Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan are all top ten teams at the moment. Looking around college football, the Big Ten’s depth is unrivaled. The playoff committee is believed to choose the best four teams in college football, not the best four records. So it begs the question, can the Big Ten have two teams reach the final four? The 14-team conference currently has four teams in the top 10 of the College Football Playoff poll. Throughout the 2016 Big Ten season, the power of the conference has shown. Former OSU running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) carries the ball for an 85-yard touchdown during the 2015 Allstate Sugar Bowl against Alabama on Jan.