Big Ten likely to break rule to get Ohio State in Big Ten Championship Game
The Big Ten will likely be flexible with their rules that should allow Ohio State to play for the Big Ten Championship.
After Ohio State had their game with Michigan canceled due to virus issues affecting the Wolverines, the conversation shifted to what it means for the Big Ten title hopes of the Buckeyes.
With only five games played, Ohio State falls short of the six-game requirement set in the fall by the Big Ten in order to be eligible to play in the Big Ten Championship Game. While no rule exists to make the College Football Playoff, not winning the conference could bump the Buckeyes out of the postseason, which the Big Ten wants to avoid.
The Big Ten is likely to allow Ohio State to play for the Big Ten Championship
As such, the Big Ten is going to be nimble and flexible as it relates to changing that rule and allowing for the conference athletic directors to adjust on the fly.
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1336406969758978048
This is the right thing to do. The rule was made up on the fly and can right a wrong from the Big Ten that was too stubborn in the summer and left the conference without any wiggle room to reschedule and move games around. Now, the conference can make sure their cash cow makes the playoff and brings in millions of dollars that will be shared with the other 13 member institutions.
The Big Ten released an official statement in the wake of the Michigan-Ohio State game cancelation.
"We are aware of the cancellation of the football game between the University of Michigan and The Ohio State University this weekend.The decision was made today by the University of Michigan because of an increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases and student-athletes in quarantine over the past week. Michigan made its determination after conversations with medical experts, health department officials, and university administration.We are in unprecedented times. The health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans, campuses and the surrounding communities remains the number one priority of the conference and its member institutions.The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is one of the most important rivalries in all of sports. The conference shares the disappointment of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, partners and fans. The conference is committed to transparency and will continue to collaborate with its member institution stakeholders to determine Big Ten Football Championship Game participation requirements as well as tiebreakers."
The last sentence of the statement is the most important. Transparency and collaboration are key as it is in the best interest of the entire conference. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel even advocated on behalf of Ohio State to be allowed entry to the Big Ten Championship Game.
There are no winners by clinging to arbitrary requirements and rules set months ago when the virus is affecting the here and now of Big Ten football. The rule was designed to keep the integrity of the championship in place but having Indiana play for the title when they lost to undefeated Ohio State would derail the very integrity they wanted to preserve.
Next. Best college football players of all time from every state. dark
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.