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The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/AManInBlack2017 on 2023-10-08 23:25:18.

So, I decided to do a little bit of exploring, to see what would happen if Michigan, Penn State, and an Ohio state university were to each go 1-1 against each other. I also presumed (very prematurely) that all three were to go undefeated against the remainder of our respective schedules.

When looking at the B1G tie-breakers… there would be none that apply until step 5, which states: “The records of the three (or more) teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference-winning percentage of non-divisional opponents.”

Enter the performance of our B1G West counterparts. Remember only in-conference records matter for this computation.

So, Michigan has Nebraska, Minnesota, and Purdue.

Ohio State has Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Purdue.

Penn State has Illinois, Iowa, and Northwestern.

Michigan’s cross conference opponents are currently 3-6, with 3 games remaining against the UM/OSU/PSU “monster”. So effectively they are 3-9.

OSU’s cross conf opponents are currently 4-4, with 4 games remaining against the monster. So effectively they are 4-8.

PSU’s cross conf opponents are currently 3-6, and have NO remaining games against the monster. So they remain 3-6.

One thing becomes very clear: Since Michigan and OSU share two cross division opponents, only the relative records of Nebraska (UM) and Wisconsin (OSU) matter between them. So unless Nebraska outperforms Wisconsin by at least one game down the stretch, Michigan will not win the tiebreaker. This seems… challenging, but at least gives Michigan fans a team in the West to root for.

Between OSU and PSU the comparison is much more complex. But, if you are a Penn State fan, you definitely want Illinois, Iowa and Northwestern to do well. Conversely, if you are fans of the evil empire, then you’ll want Minnesota, Purdue, and especially Wisconsin to do well.

This week, the key game is between Iowa and Wisconsin. Michigan and Penn State will want Iowa to win, and OSU will be rooting for Wisconsin.

B1G West: see, you DO matter!

Love, Your Champions