This Saturday, the Penn State Nittany Lions won their final game of the regular season, defeating Maryland 44-7. But the bigger headline for the Big 10 was a stunning upset in “The Game,” where Michigan defeated #2 Ohio State 13-10. Michigan was in the midst of their worst season in years, while Ohio State was in prime position to compete for the Big 10 Championship. With this shocking result, Penn State benefits, earning a spot in the Big 10 Championship against #1 Oregon. This will not only impact the ranking of these teams, but also their position in the College Football Playoff.
Penn State & Ohio State’s Seasons
Penn State and Ohio State have gone through interesting paths this season. The Nittany Lions have been beneficiaries of a favorable schedule, with only one ranked win over #19 Illinois. They started the season with a 7-0 record, but that was not without a couple scares. Penn State was in a tight game with Bowling Green, squeaking by with a 34-27 win. Bowling Green finished the season 7-5, so this loss would have been an absolute embarrassment for the Nittany Lions. They had another close victory about a month later, defeating USC 33-30 in overtime. USC finished the season 6-6, struggling in their debut season in the Big 10.
Penn State and Ohio State met in Happy Valley on November 2nd. It was a chance for the Nittany Lions to prove that they were legitimate championship contenders and prove any doubters wrong. But, in a way that was all too familiar, Ohio State won the game 20-13. Penn State’s offense was relatively lifeless, which has been a consistent problem for the team. When faced with the best of the Big 10, James Franklin’s teams never seem to have the explosives on offense to compete. The loss turned many people off of Penn State, writing it off as yet another season where they won games, but could not beat the blue blood contenders.
After this meeting, Penn State went under the radar. While the loss knocked them down a few spots in the College Football Playoff rankings, they had a favorable schedule and won their remaining four games. Other ranked teams faltered, either by upsets or by beating each other, and the Nittany Lions quietly rose up the rankings. Now, they are ranked #4 in the country and will move up after Ohio State’s loss. Ohio State has had a tougher stretch, defeating an undefeated Indiana team before losing to Michigan in rivalry week. It was the Buckeyes second loss, allowing Penn State to jump them and make the Big 10 Championship Game.
Big 10 Championship Playoff Implications
Now, with the Big 10 Championship set between Oregon and Penn State, there are two scenarios that could affect playoff seeding. If Oregon wins, which they should, they will finish undefeated and enter the College Football Playoff as the #1 overall seed. The Nittany Lions would still make it with two losses, but depending on how badly they lose, their seeding could be impacted. Indiana should still make the playoff regardless with only one loss, while Ohio State can still make it despite the loss to Michigan.
If Penn State wins the Big 10 Championship, they will earn a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Oregon and Indiana should both still get in, while Ohio State is very likely to make it. No matter what happens, the Big 10’s best teams should make the playoff, barring any chaos. So, with the Nittany Lions playoff chances all but solidified, the Big 10 Championship game gives them a chance to earn a first-round bye. Ohio State’s slip up gives Penn State an opportunity to improve their stock dramatically in a playoff that they are almost guaranteed to make regardless.
