Final update based on the scenarios put out by the league.
Oregon has clinched a spot.
Indiana will clinch a spot with a win over Ohio State this weekend.
Reasons:
- The worst IU could do is 8-1 (if they lose to Purdue).
- Ohio State could do no better than 7-2 (if they beat Michigan) so they are out.
- The best PSU could do is 8-1 (if they win out) and they would lose the tie with IU based on IU beating and PSU losing to Ohio State.
IF Ohio State beats Indiana then the Buckeyes, Hoosiers, and Nittany Lions are all alive. At that point, for each:
Ohio State:
The Buckeyes control their own destiny. If they beat the Wolverines they go. Even if IU and PSU also finish 8-1 and even if Oregon also finishes 8-1 the Buckeyes go in any of those scenarios.
Ohio State also has a mathematical chance with a loss to the Wolverines but they only make it if:
- Indiana loses to Purdue, and
- Penn State loses at least one of their last two games.
Indiana/Penn State:
These teams need to win their last game(s) and hope for an Ohio State loss.
In the event of a two-way tie between IU and PSU at 8-1, it would come down to "cumulative league record of league opponents". Currently PSU leads that by 4.5 games (28-38 vs 23-42). That is more than likely insurmountable so Penn State probably goes.
So in a list of possible scenarios:
- IU beats tOSU, IU goes to CG. NOTE, in all scenarios below it is assumed that tOSU defeated IU.
- tOSU beats M, tOSU goes to CG. NOTE, in all scenarios below it is assumed that M defeated tOSU.
- PSU wins out, PSU goes to CG. NOTE, in all scenarios below it is assumed that PSU lost at least one of their last two games.
- IU beats PU, IU goes to CG. NOTE, in all scenarios below it is assumed that PU defeated IU.
- Ohio State goes to CG as the winner of a two (or three) way tie with IU (and PSU) at 7-2.