Michigan State joined Iowa in the Big Ten championship game, making Indianapolis the site of what looks like a de facto College Football Playoff quarterfinal and further burying Ohio State.
The Spartans (11-1, No. 5 CFP) routed Penn State 55-16 to clinch the Big Ten East on Saturday and will play the Hawkeyes (12-0, No. 4 CFP) next Saturday at Lucas Oil Field in a game that should send the winner to the playoff.
The defending champion Buckeyes bounced back from their loss to Michigan State by turning the first matchup between Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh into an Ohio State rout. Ezekiel Elliott got plenty of touches this week and the Buckeyes ran all over the Wolverines 42-13.
Ohio State needs at least an upset or two to get back in the mix. Maybe North Carolina can knock off Clemson in the ACC title game. Maybe Florida beats Alabama in the SEC championship. Even then the Buckeyes will have to hope the committee is very forgiving. The selection committee protocol emphasizes conference championships.
The Buckeyes could end up in the Rose Bowl. Not a bad consolation prize. The Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl would also be a possibility. The Buckeyes (11-1, No. 8 CFP) stand a good chance to be ranked high enough by the committee to end up playing in one of the New Year’s Six games.