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We are now narrowed down to one of NU, tOSU, or IU will win the league title this year.   

For Indiana, this would be their third league title and first since 1967.  Their 1967 title was shared with Purdue and Minnesota but the Hoosiers got the Rose Bowl bid and lost to OJ Simpson and the National Champion USC Trojans.  Their 1945 title was outright by 1/2 a game over Michigan but that was before the Rose Bowl deal so the 1945 Hoosiers did not go bowling.  

For Northwestern, this would be their ninth league title and first since 2000.  Their 2000 title was shared with Purdue and Michigan.  Their last outright title was in 1995 by one game over Ohio State.  

For Ohio State, this would be their 4th consecutive and 39th overall league title.  The Buckeyes currently trail the Wolverines 42-38 for most titles in this league.  Michigan's lead of four is the smallest that their lead has been since they led the Gophers by four titles (22-18) prior to winning the 1971 title.  If Ohio State wins it will shrink Michigan's lead to three which is the smallest their lead has been since they led the Gophers by three titles (21-18) prior to winning the 1969 title.  

Titles in the last 20 years (2001-2020):

• 10 tOSU - will be 11 if they win this year
• 3 PSU (last in 2016)
• 3 MSU (last in 2015)
• 3 UW (last in 2012)
• 2 M (last in 2004, prior to that 2003)
• 2 IA (last in 2004, prior to that 2002)
• 1 IL (last in 2001)
• 0 NU - will be 1 if they win this year
• 0 IU - will be 1 if they win this year

Per the above, tOSU has double-digit titles in the last 20 years.  Only tOSU and M have won more than eight titles in any 20 year span.  Their best is 13 each:

• Michigan won 13 from 1973-1992
• Michigan won 13 from 1972-1991
• Michigan won 13 from 1971-1990
• Ohio State won 13 from 1968-1987
• Ohio State won 13 from 1967-1986

Most titles in a 20 year span in our league by each school:

• 13 Michigan, last was 1973-1992
• 13 Ohio State, last was 1968-1987
• 8 Minnesota, last was 1927-1946
• 8 Illinois, last was 1910-1929
• 6 Wisconsin, last was 1993-2012
• 6 Chicago, last was 1905-1924
• 4 Iowa, last was 1985-2004
• 4 Purdue, last was 1929-1948
• 4 Northwestern, last was 1926-1945
• 3 Penn State, current
• 3 Michigan State, current
• 1 Indiana, last was 1967-1986

10 is pretty good, considering there is a vacated title and an undefeated season that aren't included.

10 is great even without those considerations.  It is averaging a title every other year for two decades.  That is great. Full stop.  

Also note that both Michigan's and Ohio State's prior 20 year spans with double-digit titles occurred back when shared titles were possible in all 20 years.  Ohio State had 10 for 2000-2019 and will have at least 10 for 2001-2020 even though shared titles were only available through 2010.  

The last time Michigan had double-digit titles in a 20 year span was when they had 10 from 1988-2007:

• 2004 shared with Iowa
• 2003 outright
• 2000 shared with NU and PU
• 1998 shared with tOSU and UW
• 1997 outright
• 1992 outright
• 1991 outright
• 1990 shared with IL, IA, and MSU
• 1989 outright
• 1988 outright

So four of the ten were shared and with up to three other teams.  

Prior to 2000-2019 the last time Ohio State had double-digit titles in a 20 year span was when they had 10 from 1972-1991:

• 1986 shared with M
• 1984 outright
• 1981 shared with IA
• 1979 outright
• 1977 shared with M
• 1976 shared with M
• 1975 outright
• 1974 shared with M
• 1973 shared with M
• 1972 shared with M

So seven of the ten were shared.  

Suffering an even longer draught than the Wolverines would be a little agonizing. 

What OSU has done in the past few decades is incredible. Not only have they about caught Michigan in titles, they have lapped them on the field. I don't see that changing.

Bama, Clemson, Ohio State - Similar programs in many ways.  And they all end up at or near the top of the 247 recruiting rankings year in and out.

How often have those programs been in the top three in recruiting of late?

How often have those programs been in the top three in recruiting of late?

Top 10 mostly. The top 3 is reserved.