Conference Championship Race
Any thoughts on the conference race?
Going into the 2nd weekend in November, here is how the divisional races look.
WIWH (Why is Wisconsin Here division):
1. Ohio State only needs to win 2 of its last 3 to lock in a place in the CCG. Remaining games: @Illinois, vs. Indiana, @Michigan.
2. Wisconsin can win a share of the divisional title with an Ohio State loss, but to get to the CCG, the Badgers need to win out and have Ohio State lose 2.
Remaining conference games: vs. Indiana, @Minnesota, vs. Penn State
WIW (Where is Wisconsin division):
The only team that is officially out of the race is Northwestern. It's doubtful at this point though that the team that wins the division has 3 conference losses, so I'm looking at just possibilities with 2 or fewer losses.
1. Michigan State: The Spartan's next game is in 2 weeks at Nebraska. If they win it and Minnesota loses a game, they clinch a spot in the CCG. If they lose it, they still have a decent shot and would need Nebraska to lose a game
Remaining Games: @Nebraska, @Northwestern, vs. Minnesota
2. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers do completely control their destiny still. If they win out, they'll be no worse than tied with Michigan State for the division and still win the tie-breaker. If they lose any game they are likely out of it though.
Remaining Games: @Michigan, vs. Michigan State, @Penn State, vs. Iowa
3. Minnesota: While the odds of the Golden Gophers ending up in Indianapolis the first weekend next month are very small, that they are still in a position to put themselves there is a mark of a much improved season. The easiest way things work for them is to win out, have Michigan State drop one to Nebraska or Northwestern, and Michigan lose one of its last 4.
Remaining Games: vs. Penn State, vs. Wisconsin, @Michigan State
4. Michigan: The Wolverines chances of a conference title are extremely small now, but not entirely gone. There is no margin for error though and a ton of luck is needed. Unless Michigan State drops all of its last 3, Michigan needs to win out and have Michigan State lose 2 of 3 including to Minnesota, meanwhile Minnesota needs to win out. That would set up a 3 way tie on top with head to heads deciding nothing. The next tie breaker is record in division and this senario would give Michigan only 1 loss in division (Penn State was not) which would send them to the CCG.
Remaining Games: vs. Nebraska, @Northwestern, @Iowa, vs. Ohio State
If Michigan State somehow lost all of its last 3 and none of these 4 teams won out, you get to a lot more senarios, but that seems pretty unlikely.
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