Will the Big Ten Adjust Rules to Allow Ohio State in Their Championship?

Before the start of their season, the Big Ten Conference established a rule that required teams to play at least six games to qualify for the championship game. However, the rule included a provision that if the average number of games played by all teams is below six, then the minimum number required is reduced accordingly. This flexibility, however, comes with precise rounding rules—specifically, the average is rounded down if it is 5.5 or lower and up if it is 5.6 or higher.

The ramifications of this rule are significant for teams like Ohio State, where it's now unlikely to play more than six games, given another cancellation would drop their count below the threshold. Additionally, with the current understanding of the average games played by the conference, it is unlikely that the overall average will drop below six games, meaning Ohio State may fall just short of the required six games.

What Does This Mean for Ohio State's Prospects?

Given the current structure of the Big Ten, Ohio State faces a critical situation if they lose another game. Their path to the championship would become extremely challenging, if not impossible, under the current rules. The bigger question is whether the other schools in the Big Ten, especially those with similar intentions to secure more than six games, would support a rule change that benefits only Ohio State.

College Football Playoff vs. Big Ten Rules

It's worth noting that the College Football Playoff (CFP) does not impose a minimum game requirement. Furthermore, the CFP selection committee does not factor in conference championships, as evidenced by the 2016 season where Ohio State was selected for the CFP despite not playing in their conference championship.

Practically, the committee may still consider Ohio State for the CFP if they remain undefeated. However, it would be far more challenging if another team, such as Northwestern, wins the conference championship. The scenario becomes even more complex if an undefeated Cincinnati or Clemson wins their conference championships, potentially leaving Ohio State facing selection difficulties due to the fewer games played.

Conference Strategy and Future Changes?

The most likely outcome is that the Big Ten will not want to be left out of the CFP, especially having caused their own predicament by not starting their season two weeks earlier. Eight weeks to go before the championship means there would still be time to adjust and make up games. If Ohio State is still on track to play only five games, it suggests a technical fix might be possible to allow them to qualify. By starting earlier, teams could have more flexibility to realign and participate in additional games without violating the spirit of the conference.

Despite the clear need for a solution, the Big Ten's likely reluctance to make a rule change to benefit just Ohio State means that a balance between fairness and competitive integrity must be maintained. The potential rule change could set a precedent or open the door for other teams to demand similar accommodations, leading to a more complex decision-making process.

As of now, Ohio State fans and the broader football community are closely watching for any official response from the Big Ten, both on their official response and any potential compromises on future rule adjustments.