In a week that had Buckeye fans' chestnuts roasting over a Big Ten fire, an announcement from the conference could pave the way for Ohio State to make a very historic run to a National Championship.
But, before I tell you what that history might be, let's lay the groundwork of what will be remembered as one of the weirdest weeks that the Big Nut can remember.
It all started with murmors throughout the league last week, that Michigan who had a number of positive COVID-19 cases, was leaning towards cancelling their game on December 12th, the final week of the Big Ten's regular season. On Tuesday, those murmors quickly turned to a thunderous thread of tweet as officials rom the School Up North announced they wouldn't be competing this weekend.
"This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety is paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making.” pic.twitter.com/IHXOD6lXyj
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 8, 2020
The streak of 102 years with a Michigan-Ohio State game has come to an end.
This is the first time since 1918 that the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry will not be played 😳 https://t.co/p36oFTUIzB
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 8, 2020
But, that is not the historic moment I want to talk about. Just wait.
While the cancellation wasn't unexpected news for the top team in the Big Ten' Eastern Division, the announcement had huge ramifications after the fact. The Wolverines would have been Ohio State's sixth game of the 2020 season - the minimum requirement to be eligible for the B10 Championship.
So, as of Tuesday night, Ohio State defending their Big Ten title and making a claim to be selected the College Football Playoff was impossible.
In a press conference today, Buckeyes HC Ryan day spoke on the disappointment of his players,
"They were really devastated. ... We've been really looking forward to playing these guys. All of them. I've been looking forward to it for a while and wanted it in the worst way."
But, their was light at the end of the Horseshoe for Day's team - as another announcement was finding its way to Twitter, like a tuba player high-stepping through the color guard to dot the i.
The Big Ten is expected to change its policy that teams must play six games to be eligible for the conference championship game.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 9, 2020
This would likely pave the way for Ohio State to face Northwestern, pending approval in the league, sources told @CFBHeather and @ESPNRittenberg. pic.twitter.com/JQYxkz9QYk
So, just like that, the big suits of the Big Ten recognized Ohio State's plight and met to make a last-second amendment to a set of rules that has stood for decades. The Big Ten announced this morning - December 10th - that the 5-o Buckeyes, who had not met the league's requirement of playing 6 games for conference championship eligibility, would be able to defend their title in Indianapolis on December 19th.
The Big Ten changed its policy that teams must play six games to be eligible for the conference championship game, sending Ohio State to the title game vs. Northwestern.
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 9, 2020
Do you agree with the Big Ten's decision?
But, this historic decision in an unprecedented season was not thing I cared about. It was this.
If Ohio State plays in the Big Ten Championship and beats Northwestern, that puts them at 6 wins.
And they will undoubtedly receive an invite the the CFB Playoff.
If Ohio State goes to the CFB Playoff and wins their first round game, that will put them at 7 wins.
And the will move on to the National Championship. And then this happens.
If Ohio State wins the National Championship, they will finish the year with 8 wins.
And Ohio State will be the first team to claim a National Championship with only 8 wins for the first time since 1961 - when Woody Hayes and the Ohio State buckeyes finished the season 8-o-1, sharing the title with Alabama.
50 years later, the Ohio State's 2020 team could pay homage to their old coach and one of the great Buckeye teams by doing something that will certainly never happen again.
