Big Ten Champion: Ohio State Buckeyes
It’s been three years since Ohio State last made the Big Ten title game, let alone won it. The Buckeyes beat Wisconsin 59-0 in 2014 on their way to the national title. It was the most commanding victory in Big Ten Championship history, but the Buckeyes don’t have many players left over from that team.
Perhaps the most important player who was on that squad, though, is J.T. Barrett. Unfortunately, he missed the 2014 Big Ten Championship because of an injury. Cardale Jones was the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes’ final three games of that season, which included the playoff.
However, Barrett was the reason the Buckeyes got to the title game and he will be the driving force in this year’s championship run as well. Winning the Big Ten East won’t be easy, especially with the rises of Penn State and Michigan, but Barrett has been in many big games and he’s poised to lead this talented team to Indianapolis.
Wisconsin and Ohio State will meet up in the title game and the Buckeyes will have a tougher time putting the Badgers away this year than they did in 2014. The game will go down to the wire, but a highlight drive by Barrett and Co. will lead to a final-minute victory.
Ohio State wins 34-27 and earns a spot in the College Football Playoff.