Big Ten Places Three Teams in the AP Top Five for 1st Time Since 1960

For the first time in 56 years, the Big Ten conference has three teams in the AP college football poll. Ohio State (7-1 in conference play, 10-1 overall) is #2, Michigan (7-1, 10-1) is #3 and Wisconsin (9-2. 6-2) is #5. Penn State (7-1, 9-2) isn’t far behind at #8.

The final regular season Big Ten games are this week end, and as is often the case in college football, the biggest rivalry games are at the end of the season. In the Big Ten East, Ohio State will host Michigan on November 26th. If Ohio State beats Michigan, and Penn State beats Michigan State at home, Penn State will win the East on the basis of tie breakers and advance to the Big Ten Championship game on December 3rd. Since the Spartans have been shockingly horrible this season (1-7 in the Big Ten, 3-8) Penn State should win its game. The Ohio State-Michigan game has a noon Eastern start and the Penn State-Michigan State game has a 3:30 start, so Penn State’s players will know if they are in a win and in situation at game time.

In the Big Ten West, Wisconsin is already in a win and in situation. The Badgers host Minnesota (5-3, 8-3) and will win the West with a victory over the Golden Gophers , who are no pushover. The Badgers hold the tiebreaker over 2nd place Nebraska (7-1, 9-2) having beaten the Cornhuskers earlier this season. Nebraska will have its hands full at Iowa (5-3, 7-4). The Cornhuskers and Hawkeyes will get the jump on the weekend and play on Friday November 25th.

While there is a lot of talk about who might make it to the College Football Playoff, it should be remembered that one of these teams that doesn’t make it to the CFP will play in the Rose Bowl, and one or two others should make it to other prestigious bowls.

Here’s some highlights from Ohio State’s narrow win over Michigan State. The Buckeyes will have to play better than this if they hoep to beat the Wolverines.