Big Ten Changing Six-Game Rule, Buckeyes Can Play for Conference Title
While it may have felt like an eternity, Ohio State didn't have to wait long for the Big Ten to change it's 6-game mandate.
The Big Ten has announced that the league's 14 athletic directors and Senior Women's Administrators have voted to change their rule mandating that a team must have played at least six games this season in order to qualify for the Big Ten Football Championship Game in Indianapolis on Dec. 19.
Multiple sources told ESPN that the group of Big Ten AD's met today to discuss this topic for the first time as a group. That meeting was reportedly very productive and all administrators worked with good collaboration. It still needs further approval, but it's not expected to be an issue.
Michigan AD: "I just want to make it clear. I think Ohio State is one of the top four teams in this country and deserves the opportunity to be in the CFP conversation."
The major point of discussion today revolved around Ohio State possibly picking up a sixth game and losing that game - would they still represent the Big Ten East in that situation? The answer is yes. Ohio State does not need to win a potential sixth game in order to get in the league title game because they would own a tiebreaker after beating Indiana head-to-head.
Here is the official press release from the conference office:
The Big Ten Conference Administrators Council, which includes the Directors of Athletics and Senior Women Administrators from all 14 member institutions, voted today to eliminate the minimum-game requirement for participation in the 2020 Big Ten Football Championship Game. The decision was made in collaboration with the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors and the conference office.
The decision was based on a competitive analysis which determined that Ohio State would have advanced to the Big Ten Football Championship Game based on its undefeated record and head-to-head victory over Indiana regardless of a win or loss against Michigan.
As a result of the decision, Ohio State will represent the East Division in the 2020 Big Ten Football Championship game against Northwestern.
The conference continues to prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes and remains flexible and united with its 14 member institutions and partners during these unprecedented times.
Without a sliver of a doubt, this is the right thing for the Big Ten to do. Here's why.
Last night, the Buckeyes were ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff weekly rankings for the third consecutive week. None of the top six teams have changed since they were first released 15 days ago. The Buckeyes still trail Alabama, Notre Dame and Clemson, while they are ranked ahead of Texas A&M and Florida. Here's why we think the Buckeyes are in good shape with the CFP Selection Committee, aside from one doomsday scenario.
Tuesday was a dark day in Ohio State football history, with the Michigan game being cancelled for the first time in 103 years.
Wednesday's news reassures the Buckeyes that their national championship aspirations are still very much alive.
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