The playoff situation for Big 10 is kind of weird. See, at the top of the list, OSU, Indiana, and Penn State are running the game. All the 3 teams are right now on a 10-1 run, with only Indiana and Penn State having their losses to the Buckeyes. But here is the thing, this entire scenario makes the CFP future kind of weird. There is pretty much no doubt that out of the 3 contenders, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have the highest chance at having a shot at securing the national championship. If we go by strength of schedule, who have the Hoosiers and the Nittany Lions even faced? The only time they came across a team (aka Buckeyes) with a pulse, they lost.
But here is the thing: what about the championship game? See, it doesn’t matter who wins/loses it, what matters is the outcome that will follow. Adam Breneman quickly took to X to point this “unfair” problem out. “The fact that the Big Ten Championship game loser gets Arizona State in round 1 and then Boise State in round 2… while the winner gets Georgia on a neutral field… is so wrong,” Breneman mentioned in the caption of his post. So, let’s assume Hoosiers are on the losing end. Not only will they have another stain on their near-perfect resume, but they also have to go against 2 of the biggest teams from the Big 12 and Midwestern conferences.
The fact that the Big Ten Championship game loser gets Arizona State in round 1 and then Boise State in round 2… while the winner gets Georgia on a neutral field… is so wrong.
Life’s not fair in college football.
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) November 28, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Sun Devils have been on a wild ride this season. They only had 2 tragic losses to Cincinnati and Texas Tech, but the game that got them back on the map was the 28-23 call against BYU. Not only did they manage to slam dunk on BYU’s run to the playoffs, but they also dethroned them from their No.1 spot on the Big 12 team rankings.
And then there is Boise State. These guys have the best RBs in the entire country and you think the loser of the Big 10 championship game stands a chance? The only loss the Broncos have had was against the current top team (aka Oregon) in the CFP rankings. Other than that, these guys are averaging at least 40 points in almost every single game.
You cannot sit there and say these games are remotely fair. However, before we conclude, we think it will be fair if we check out the other end of the spectrum. What fate awaits the winner of the championship game?
Against the Bulldogs
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Okay, so Kirby Smart and his crew have had their ups and downs this year. The disappointing game against Bama and QB Carson Beck‘s lackluster performance quickly made people wonder what in the world is Smart even doing.
This feeling was solidified when the Dawgs lost to Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss, and the Georgia offense couldn’t even get past 10 points. The game was so one-dimensional that after a point it became borderline hilarious to watch the Bulldogs’ O-line try to score.
But look at them now. With that one win against the Vols and the blowout game against UMass, Georgia is pretty much in a very solid, safe spot. And honestly, the winner of the championship game facing off against these guys is a much better outcome.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Let’s be real: you have a better chance of winning against Georgia than you would have against both Arizona State and Boise State. Yeah, OSU can easily take over the Sun Devils, but the Broncos? That is debatable.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
What’s your perspective on:
Is it fair that the Big Ten loser faces easier teams while the winner gets Georgia?
Have an interesting take?