The Spartans and Buckeyes are tied atop the B1G-E standings and they play each other this week. One of them will move to 6-1 and be in control after this weekend.
If the Spartans win this weekend:
They will almost clinch. They will be 6-1 with an effective two game lead over the Buckeyes and at least an effective two game lead over PSU and M. If the Spartans beat the Buckeyes then all they'll need to do to clinch the division is to beat either Maryland or Rutgers.
If the Buckeyes win this weekend:
Things are not quite as clear as they would be in the case of a Spartan win. The Buckeyes would effectively have a two game lead over the Spartans and at least an effective two game lead over PSU but the Buckeyes would only be one game ahead of the Wolverines so the possibility of Ohio State losing a tie involving the Wolverines would still exist thus keeping Michigan, Penn State, and Michigan State more realistically in the race. Assuming that Ohio State wins the next two weeks (vMSU, vILL) then lose to Michigan to finish 7-2, here is how all the potential ties play out:
Ohio State tied with MSU or PSU or both: Ohio State wins (H2H or H2H2H)
Ohio State tied with Michigan: Michigan wins (H2H).
Ohio State tied with Michigan and Michigan State: Ohio State wins: First Michigan is eliminated by divisional record then Ohio State beats MSU on H2H.
Ohio State tied with Michigan and Penn State: Ohio State wins: First Michigan is eliminated by divisional record then Ohio State beats PSU on H2H.
Ohio State tied with Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State: Ohio State wins: First Penn State and Michigan are eliminated on H2H2H2H (they are both 1-2 while MSU and tOSU are both 2-1) then OHio State beats MSU on H2H.
Long story short: If you are a PSU or M fan you need to root for the Buckeyes this weekend.
