Path to completion of the title game

With the final weekend of the season here, one big question remains in the Big Ten: Who will compete? Oregon in the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis? Three teams – Ohio State, Penn State And Indiana – are still in the running.

All three of the Buckeyes, Nittany Lions and Hoosiers are 10-1 with a conference loss. In the College Football Playoff rankings, Ohio State is ranked No. 2, Penn State is No. 4 and Indiana is No. 10.

With all eyes on Columbus, Bloomington and State College this Saturday, here’s how each team can make it to Indy to face the Ducks.

Ohio State

Loss: at Oregon, 32-31
Game week 14: vs. Michigan

The Buckeyes have the easiest path to the Big Ten championship: beat rival Michigan at home. And with the Wolverines 6-5 and the Buckeyes favored by multiple touchdowns, that seems to be the likely outcome.

But even if Ohio State loses surprisingly to Michigan, it could still advance to the Big Ten title game. For that to happen, Penn State and Indiana would also have to lose.

Penn State

Loss: vs. Ohio State, 20-13
Game week 14:vs. Maryland

In addition to holding serve and beating Maryland on Senior Day in Happy Valley, Penn State will need some support from the Wolverines. If the Nittany Lions win and Michigan pulls off an upset, Penn State will be in the Big Ten title game for the first time since 2016.

And regardless of what happens in the Big Ten title race, a win against the Terps will likely secure the Nittany Lions a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Indiana

Loss: at Ohio State, 38-15
Game week 14: vs. Purdue

The Hoosiers’ perfect season ended in Columbus, but their title hopes remain. But Indiana needs help.

To overtake the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions, Indiana must lose both. And it can’t be one or the other, as Ohio State retains the head-to-head win and Penn State comes into the tiebreaker with a one-loss tie against Indiana, even though they don’t play each other head-to-head.

And the Hoosiers, much like the Buckeyes, Nittany Lions and already-first-place Ducks, would certainly enjoy not only a shot at the league title but also the virtual guarantee of an automatic CFP bid.