How many Big 10 teams?

[SwirlinLingerie]

I don't know why, but I started thinking of scenarios involving Iowa.

I'm out here in WA state, and the Huskies are suddenly on the playoff fringe, too.

They are 6-2, and have Wisconsin, Purdue and UCLA. A decent chance they are 9-2 going into their last game, which is hosting Oregon. Historically, UW over-performs in that rivalry game when in Seattle.

So say the Hawks and Huskies are both 10-2 with wins over Oregon. Both get in as the BIG's third and fourth teams?

Add this into the mix. Say that same thing happens. And also that Michigan takes care of business before Ohio State, and then beats the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor (never, ever out of the realm of possibility).

So say you'd have 12-0 Indiana, 11-1 Ohio State, 10-2 Michigan (win over OSU), 10-2 Iowa, and 10-2 Washington.

Would it be Indiana vs. Michigan in the championship game? If Michigan gets beat decisively, are they out?

It's fun only having a second loss on October 28th, no Ohio State still on the schedule, and a bye week to scramble your brain on all these possibilities.

Besides Iowa winning out, seems like Ohio State burying Michigan in Ann Arbor would be one of the most clear cut scenarios to root for (or maybe the Wolverines can just take a dump at Northwestern for us).

 

[NorthKCHawk]

These perfect scenarios dreamt up midseason never come to pass. Too many variables and there are always upsets. The Big 10 will get between 2-4 teams in. My guess is the Top 3 make it. All of the teams above could make it, but teams like Iowa and Washington and likely Michigan need to win out.

 

[Seth53]

If Iowa wins out...

Iowa will have played 3/4 of last year's B1G CFP teams (granted, all at home)

And beaten 2/3...and if the QB isn't injured late in the 4th quarter, we'd have beaten Indy (national commenators have mentioned this).

And will have won two tough road games (@ USC and Nebraska).
Pretty formidable slate.

You'd think SoS would count in Iowa's favor.
Plus, we will be a very hot team.

All signs point to CFP at that point.

 

[Fryowa]

So say you'd have 12-0 Indiana, 11-1 Ohio State, 10-2 Michigan (win over OSU), 10-2 Iowa, and 10-2 Washington.

Would it be Indiana vs. Michigan in the championship game?

No, because the first criteria for playing in the conference championship game is conference record.

 

[Fryowa]

All of the teams above could make it, but teams like Iowa and Washington and likely Michigan need to win out.

And need help from other teams.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

And need help from other teams.

If Iowa wins out, I would bet my mortgage they are in the playoffs. They would be no worse than third place in one of the two power conferences. I guess in the one in a million chance that the scenario where Washington and Michigan both win out, there might be some handwringing on taking 5 Big Ten Schools. Maybe Iowa gets squeezed out. But, that is not going to happen. A 10-2 Iowa team with two good losses and wins over PSU, Oregon, USC, Minny, and Nebraska gets in.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

10-2 will get us in. Nothing less.

 

[DrKnipe]

 

[CP87]

I said at 3-2 (after the Indiana loss), all the big goals were likely off the table, and that will allow Iowa to play loose and rack up some fun wins. All of a sudden, it is looking like the anxiety of playoff implications could be rearing its head.

I hope Iowa can handle that. The 2015 team is a great example of an Iowa team that met the moment game after game (all the way until 4th and goal vs. MSU). But many teams struggle with that pressure. I think so much comes down to the QB, so let's hope MG becomes the 2nd coming of CJB over this next month or so!

Frankly, if there is a recent game that gives me hope, it is PSU (more so than the Minny and Wisky wipeouts). We had no business winning that game with all of the mistakes, and yet we still got the job done. It is the sort of win that gives a team that feeling of invincibility that is so critical to a special season.