ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football is still alive for the Big Ten Championship Game, and there are three specific scenarios that could end with the Wolverines playing Indiana, Oregon, or Ohio State.
No matter what happens around the country, Michigan is eliminated from Big Ten title game and College Football Playoff contention if it loses to Ohio State this weekend.
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Even though the game is in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines are double-digit underdogs against the undefeated defending national champions.
Michigan is looking for its fifth-straight win against Ohio State. The Buckeyes haven’t beaten the Wolverines in 2,186 days -- but who’s counting?
A win over Ohio State would likely put Michigan back in the College Football Playoff for the fourth time in five years, but it wouldn’t necessarily guarantee a Big Ten title berth. In fact, it’s very unlikely the Wolverines end up in Indianapolis next weekend.
Here are the three scenarios that would get Michigan into the game:
Michigan vs. Indiana
Michigan would play Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game if the following results happen this weekend:
- Michigan beats Ohio State
- Indiana beats Purdue
- Washington beats Oregon
The Wolverines are a 10-point underdog and Oregon is favored by a touchdown at Washington, so it would take two significant upsets for this to play out.
Michigan vs. Oregon
For Michigan to play Oregon in the Big Ten title game, here’s what would have to happen on Friday and Saturday:
- Michigan beats Ohio State
- Oregon beats Washington
- Purdue beats Indiana
If Purdue beats Indiana on Friday night as a four-touchdown underdog, then anything in the world is possible and we should all play the lottery.
Michigan vs. Ohio State
This is by far the least likely scenario because it would require three major upsets:
- Michigan beats Ohio State
- Washington beats Oregon
- Purdue beats Indiana
College football is wild, but this would be another level of chaos entirely.