Big Ten Championship Game scenarios: Path to finalize the title game

With the final weekend of the season here, one big question remains in the Big Ten: Who will face Oregon in the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis? Three teams — Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana — are still in the running.

All three of the Buckeyes, Nittany Lions and Hoosiers are 10-1 and hold one conference loss. In the College Football Playoff rankings, Ohio State is No. 2, Penn State is No. 4 and Indiana is No. 10.

So as all eyes turn to Columbus, Bloomington and State College this Saturday, here’s how each team can make it to Indy to take on the Ducks.

Ohio State

Loss: at Oregon, 32-31
Week 14 game: vs. Michigan

The Buckeyes have the simplest path to the Big Ten championship: Beat rival Michigan at home. And with the Wolverines 6-5 and the Buckeyes favored by multiple touchdowns, that appears to be the likely outcome.

But even if Ohio State loses a shocker to Michigan, it could still make it to the Big Ten title game. That would require Penn State and Indiana to lose, as well.

Penn State

Loss: vs. Ohio State, 20-13
Week 14 game: vs. Maryland

Along with needing to hold serve and beat Maryland on Senior Day in Happy Valley, Penn State will need an assist from the Wolverines. If the Nittany Lions win and Michigan pulls off an upset, Penn State will be back in the Big Ten title game for the first time since 2016.

And regardless of what happens with the Big Ten title race, a win against the Terps likely sews up a College Football Playoff berth for the Nittany Lions.

Indiana

Loss: at Ohio State, 38-15
Week 14 game: vs. Purdue

The Hoosiers’ perfect season ended in Columbus but the title hopes remain alive. But Indiana needs help.

To leapfrog the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions, Indiana needs both to lose. And it can’t be one or the other, as Ohio State holds the head-to-head win and a one-loss Penn State gets in over one-loss Indiana via tiebreakers, despite them not playing head to head.

And the Hoosiers, much like the Buckeyes, Nittany Lions and spot-already-clinched Ducks would surely love not only a shot at the league crown, but the virtual guarantee of an automatic bid to the CFP.