Big Ten Football: 5 incredibly early bold predictions for the 2023 season
By John Buhler
3. Big Ten gets two teams into College Football Playoff, but neither is winning it
For the second year in a row, the Big Ten is most definitely getting two teams into the College Football Playoff. Going forward, this is going to be the new normal, but in a four-team field, it remains quite the accomplishment. Whether it be Michigan, Ohio State and/or Penn State, two out of three ain’t bad. However, the Wolverines, Buckeyes or Nittany Lions are not winning it all, man.
I would venture to guess the winner of The Game gets in again, per usual. If their one loss on the year is to Penn State, and the Nittany Lions either go undefeated or only drop one, preferably not to the loser of The Game, that’ll be your two. Regardless, the Big Ten energy will be off the chain come playoff time. FOX will be so absolutely livid that they won’t be calling those playoff games.
Unfortunately, the Big Ten will have to wait until at least 2024 to see one of its teams be crowned a national champion. I am probably leaning towards my alma mater of Georgia three-peating, but maybe Texas is back? Maybe the winner of Clemson vs. Florida State has that secret sauce? As far as the Pac-12 is concerned, I think Oregon and Washington have a better shot over Utah or USC.
While two teams from the Big Ten make the four-team field, they are only getting maybe one win.