Looking at tiebreakers, there is a not insignificant chance that this game is a B1GCG elimination game for both teams. We already know that a loss here would eliminate the Nittany Lions, here is a quick review of why:
With a loss here, PSU can do no better than 7-2 and Michigan can do no worse than 7-2. Even that requires Michigan losing to BOTH Maryland and Ohio State so it is extremely unlikely. Even if it happened, it would require tOSU beating Michigan which would give Ohio State at least seven wins so they'd have to lose their other two to create a three-way tie atop the B1G-E at 7-2. This scenario is EXTREMELY unlikely and it wouldn't even help PSU if it happened because tOSU would win that tie.
What about Michigan?
A loss here would still leave plenty of mathematical chances for the Wolverines but none of them are very likely. Given the weakness of the rest of the league, the Buckeyes, Wolverines, and Nittany Lions will likely win all of their games against the rest of the league. Thus, if Michigan loses in Happy Valley their best reasonably likely outcome is a 3-way tie with tOSU and PSU and Penn State is currently leading in the tiebreaker if that should come to pass. Plus, Minnesota still has to play Ohio State which hurts both tOSU's and M's chances in the potential 3-way tie. Also, Ohio State losing to Minnesota would actually be worse for Michigan's CG chances because if they lose to PSU they would obviously lose a 2-way tie with PSU so they would need tOSU to get to The Game unscathed.
Consequently, I'm thinking it is more and more likely that the loser of this game (either way) doesn't have a good way to get to the CG.
