B1G Crossover Games - Guess #2
While acknowledging that this is probably a little silly and everyone is ready to be done with this, I am still interested in what the final week matchups will look like. For the guess below, I am assuming Michigan does not play OSU and Minnesota isn't able to play until the crossover games. Standings would be as below.
East
1. Indiana (6-2)
2. OSU (5-0)
3. Maryland (3-2)
4. Penn State (3-5)
5. Michigan (2-4)
6. MSU (2-5)
7. Rutgers (2-6)
West
1. NW (6-1)
2. Wisconsin (4-1)
3. Iowa (5-3)
4. Purdue (3-4)
5. Minnesota (2-3)
6. Illinois (2-5)
7. Nebraska (1-5)
That would leave the below final matchups.
Indiana vs Northwestern
OSU vs Wisconsin
Maryland vs Iowa
Penn State vs Minnesota
Michigan vs Purdue
MSU vs Illinois
Rutgers vs Nebraksa
December 3rd, 2020 at 2:36 PM ^
Michigan vs. its fan base.
Everyone else vs. Covid
December 3rd, 2020 at 2:39 PM ^
I was at the Notre Dame game last year and heard a bunch of fans in the bar before the game say, “nobody shits on Michigan more than their own fans.”
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:54 PM ^
We certainly saw that with the response to the Herbstreit comments. Self-abasement, thy name is Michigan fan. Never was terribly into it, myself. . . obviously at least a few people aren't, either.
December 3rd, 2020 at 4:49 PM ^
Texas fans are very similar in that regard. One of their most popular boards is named SurlyTexas.
December 3rd, 2020 at 2:38 PM ^
I don't think PSU beating Rutgers and MSU is a guarantee. Rutgers at least plays hard every week and MSU randomly beats teams. Also PSU has had a tendency to play way below their talent level (except against Michigan of course... though I put that loss more on our incompetence than PSU playing good).
I could also see Iowa beating Wisconsin. They've really come to form after losing their first 2 games and have played better.
If we do end up playing Purdue, I don't see us winning that game. We may bottle up Moore but David Bell would scorch us and we would get no push up front.
Also wouldn't be surprised if Big Ten changes rules so that OSU is eligible for CFP
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:10 PM ^
I think we play Nebraska if we play another game. I think Nebraska outhits and out scores us. Scott Frost has his revenge Jim Harbaugh complains about the Nebraska sideline clapping. Harbaugh realizes he’s become Scott Frost.
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:44 PM ^
We'd need Brady Hoke brought in for the clapping routine!
p.s, not an athlete but former MMB member and '85 grad. Go Blue!
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:11 PM ^
Me trying to explain to my grandchildren how in 2020 Indiana played Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship and an undefeated Ohio State played a one-loss Wisconsin in the consolation 2nd place game.
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:20 PM ^
Isn't MSU ahead of Michigan due to H2H win? If so, MSU would be placed above Michigan for that reason. Plus, there's a potential Michigan/Nebraska game if it comes down to it
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:33 PM ^
2-4 is better than 2-5 so you wouldn't need a tie-breaker.
December 3rd, 2020 at 4:21 PM ^
2-4 is better than 2-5
In this specific scenario I think you're wrong.
December 3rd, 2020 at 6:35 PM ^
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:30 PM ^
I mean, screw the cross-over game. America wants to see Michigan v. Rutgers II, don't they?
Yeah yeah, I know, we all said, "ain't gonna be no rematch," and Rutgers said, "don't want one," but there is MONEY in sequels.
December 3rd, 2020 at 9:01 PM ^
It would be like Caddyshack 2.
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:46 PM ^
If Michigan does not play Ohio State as your scenario states, and Ohio State is not in the championship game, wouldn't you think the Big Ten would try to match up Michigan and Ohio State during the championship weekend?
Guaranteed TV $$$.
Ohio State v Michigan
Wisconsin v Purdue
Maryland v Iowa
Penn State v Minnesota
Michigan State v Illinois
Rutgers v Nebraska
December 3rd, 2020 at 4:17 PM ^
I think (no inside knowledge of contracts) that there is more money to be earned for the Big Ten by having OSU in the playoff and there's no doubt OSU's resume is better by beating Wisconsin. The contract with Fox / ABC / ESPN for regular season games is what it is and doesn't actually get more money by having better ratings. I'd bet OSU / Wisconsin on ABC while FOX is stuck with the NW / IU title game would do just fine ratings wise.
December 3rd, 2020 at 4:22 PM ^
Sure, but I think we all know who is going to be creating the matchups. It's not going to be the Big Ten office, but the networks.
I suspect that whatever network has the #2 game on championship weekend will have complete free reign to pick a matchup that they want (as long as the teams haven't played this season). Then whatever network has #3 will pick the matchup they want, with the same condition. And so on down the list. This will be like bowl season in that respect.
December 3rd, 2020 at 4:27 PM ^
we should just play an intersquad scrimmage...that way we can both win and lose, should make everyone happy.
December 3rd, 2020 at 8:28 PM ^
Can you lose and win a 0-0 game? I'm guessing the punter gets MVP.
December 3rd, 2020 at 4:56 PM ^
If the Michigan-OSU game and the Minnesota-Nebraska games both get canceled, then the B1G will have Ohio State play Nebraska that week to give them their sixth game.
December 3rd, 2020 at 5:40 PM ^
Assumptions:
1. Games that aren't cancelled as of 1730 EST 20201203 will be played
2. ESPN's Matchup Predictor is used to assign fractional wins based on their win %
3. Teams are sorted by their expected win%
Results (forgive the formatting issues from paste)
Michigan is likely to finish 7th in the East and play Nebraska
Big East Expected W Expected L Win %
Ohio St 5.907 0.093 0.985
Indiana 5.942 2.058 0.743
Maryland 2.461 2.539 0.492
Rutgers 2.858 5.142 0.357
Michigan St 2.208 4.792 0.315
Penn St 2.500 5.500 0.313
Michigan 2.066 4.934 0.295
Big West Expected W Expected L Win %
Northwestern 5.834 1.166 0.833
Wisconsin 3.602 1.398 0.720
Iowa 5.072 2.928 0.634
Minnesota 2.492 3.508 0.415
Purdue 2.784 4.216 0.398
Illinois 2.333 4.667 0.333
Nebraska 1.941 5.059 0.277
December 3rd, 2020 at 5:50 PM ^
Meteor's aside, I am rooting for Sparty this weekend. How many title games has OSU not been in since the Championship began? Ok. Fine. They have only appeared in 5 of the 9 official championship games since 2011. Staee appearing in 3 of the other 4. Maybe I root for a meteor.
This comment assumes we either do not show up in Columbus or appear, put on pads, attempt the game of football for a hearty 12 minutes or so then mentally head for the locker room.
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:40 PM ^
Definitely rooting for Sparty this weekend. Just wondering if they can find the O to win.
Tucker has done far more this year to show me he can change a program for the better after 4 mostly lousy and decrepit years under Dantonio (2016-19)
Antjuan Simmons has far more heart than anyone I've seen on UM's D this year. He killed us in A2 and does know the name of the opposing QB, unlike Slow Joe who didn't know who Simmons was.
December 3rd, 2020 at 8:26 PM ^
East: Covid
West:Covid
OSU vs Liberty... because why not
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:18 PM ^
Penn State will play Purdue and Michigan will play Illinois.
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:37 PM ^
Would rather see Nebraska and see what happens when two former star QBs come home and have to face reality against their doppleganger.
December 4th, 2020 at 11:37 AM ^
So, we're expecting to play football on Dec 19th. For the student athlete, this comes during finals. I say this loosely because that doesn't matter for some. Not to mention colder weather.
The B1G messed by delaying the season until Oct 23-24th. It should have been the first week of October with some bye weeks built in. Oh well, that's an after thought.
December 6th, 2020 at 6:40 PM ^
If you think they won't put the Buckeyes in the championship i think you will be upset. The league won't turn down a chance for 10 million in this climate.