Michigan and Ohio State enter "The Game" with the most on the line since 2006. Believe it or not, there’s a scenario in which Wolverines or Buckeyes fans could be rooting for the same thing afterward. It's an unexpected twist to the latest renewal of the rivalry.
The Wolverines are 10-1 overall and 7-1 in Big Ten play under Jim Harbaugh. The Buckeyes are 10-1 overall and 7-1 in Big Ten play under Urban Meyer. Saturday's game could decide the Big Ten East championship, but for the second straight season there’s a potential catch: The Michigan State-Penn State game, which will kick off after Michigan-Ohio State, could have just as much impact on the race.
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If Michigan wins, then the result of Michigan State-Penn State is moot. The Wolverines will go to the Big Ten championship and will have a chance at their first conference title since 2004. It won't matter what Penn State (9-2, 7-1) does then. Michigan has the head-to-head tie-breaker.
If Ohio State wins, then things become a little more complicated. Penn State beat Ohio State, and the Nittany Lions would go to Indianapolis if they beat the Spartans. The Buckeyes might be able to withstand that development, however, because they were ranked No. 2 in last week's College Football Playoff rankings and could still make a strong case they should be in the playoff without playing in a conference championship game.
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Getting to the Big Ten championship would be insurance, however, which opens up this scenario: If Ohio State wins and Michigan State beats Penn State, then Ohio State and Michigan could both have a shot at the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes’ path would be easy. Ohio State would get in with a win in the Big Ten championship game. It might even get in with a close loss to the Big Ten West champion, especially if it’s Wisconsin.
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Michigan would be a long shot, but it would have a chance at the No. 4 spot if it kept things close in Columbus. It would need help from the Pac-12 (losses by Washington and Colorado), though the Wolverines do have the head-to-head advantage on the Buffaloes, for what that’s worth. They also would likely need some help from the Big 12. A two-loss Michigan team against a two-loss Oklahoma or Oklahoma State would also be a debate given the Big 12 doesn’t have a conference championship game.
So that’s what at stake — and what could be at stake — in this year's edition of "The Game."
