Big Ten West championship scenarios: Who will face Ohio State or Michigan after Iowa loss?
Who will win the Big Ten West title and face off with Ohio State or Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game now that Iowa lost to Nebraska?
The Big Ten East has been fairly straightforward this season. It’s Ohio State. It’s Michigan. The winner of their matchup on Saturday will be heading to the Big Ten Championship Game.
The Big Ten East, on the other hand, has been far from straightforward. Iowa had control of the divisional race but Purdue and Illinois were keeping pace. Even Wisconsin and Minnesota had a chance not so long ago.
On Black Friday, Nebraska threw a wrench in Iowa’s plans to clinch their place in the Big Ten title game with a 24-17 upset win over the Hawkeyes. The big winners of that? Purdue and Illinois, who now have a chance to clinch themselves.
Now, Iowa has to bite their nails while waiting for results to come through on Saturday in hopes of still making it through to face the Big Ten East champ.
Big Ten West standings as of 11/25
- Purdue (5-3) and playing Indiana
- Iowa (5-4) beat Nebraska
- Illinois (4-4) and playing Northwestern
- Minnesota (4-4) and playing Wisconsin
- Wisconsin (4-4) and playing Minnesota
- Nebraska (3-6) beat Iowa
- Northwestern (1-7) and playing Illinois
Big Ten West championship scenarios
- Purdue wins the Big Ten West if…
- The Boilermakers beat Indiana
- Illinois wins the Big Ten West if…
- The Fighting Illini beat Northwestern AND
Purdue loses to Indiana
- The Fighting Illini beat Northwestern AND
- Iowa wins the Big Ten West if…
- Purdue loses to Indiana AND
Illinois loses to Northwestern
- Purdue loses to Indiana AND
Purdue controls their own destiny going into Saturday’s game with Indiana. Win and they are in.
Illinois has to beat Northwestern to close out their regular season, then hope that Indiana pulls off an upset over the Boilermakers despite being a 10.5-point underdog.
Iowa will only get in if both Purdue and Illinois lose because they have the tiebreakers necessary to advance in a three-way tie.
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