I thought the most likely scenario for 2 Big 10 teams is if PSU goes to the NC game. That would allow the runner up to get the same Rose Bowl bid that Illinois got last year.

I doubt they cared. Now that the BTN has wised up enough to air OSU vs. Minn instead of OSU vs. someone good, BTN won't take any good games from ESPN. Remember that ESPN produced, nationally aired ABC games at 3:30 and 8 are usually Big 10 games.

Can we just devote the rest of this thread to talking about how awesome Shonn Greene is?

I don't see why. Tyrell Sutton > Shonn Greene.

It will definitely be interesting. A few keys to the game for Ohio State:

1) Ohio State's needs an Aggressive Offensive Gameplan. Tressel seems to do "just enough to get it done" and doesn't want to put Pryor into any bad spots. In the Purdue game, there was no incentive to try too much, and the gameplan was too conservative. Of course, the game wasn't really in doubt, so playing conservative worked fine. Against MSU, they came out swinging and it worked. Ohio State needs to have an aggressive gameplan.

2) Aggressive D for Ohio State. In the MSU game, the defense was much more aggressive than normal. This resulted in some big turnovers and a hit that knocked the MSU QB out of the game. This needs to be sustained.

3) Pryor needs to avoid mistakes. He needs to improve throwing it out of bounds instead of taking sacks. He needs to not throw dangerous passes as well. The offensive line will be a liability in the game, and he needs to not crack under pressure.

If the same Ohio State team that showed up against MSU shows up, PSU is in trouble. I am not convinced that will happen, but was pretty happy to see the coaching staff actually play aggressive on both sides of the ball.

My Prediction: Ohio State 28, Penn State 17.

who?

Also I'm glad nobody quoted me saying the under on Minny's win total this year seemed like a good bet to a really uninformed better. I guess I underestimated just how uninformed I was.

Why do people keep thinking this is true?

You do not need to win your conference to play in the national championship game.

2001 Nebraska lost to Colorado in the final regular season game and did not play in the big 12 championship game, and lost to Miami in the Rose Bowl

2003 Oklahoma lost to Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game, and went on to lose to LSU in the Sugar Bowl.

If Texas and OU win out and the right teams lose they may meet in a rematch for the championship. The bcs rules state #1 and #2 meet, there are no qualifiers.

The world would hate this but I would cackle with glee if it happened.

But haven't they made that a stipulation SINCE 2003? I could be wrong but I thought I read that.

Just remember there will always be biases and intentional slights driven by money and ulterior motives, and such shenanigans will always work against whomever it is you happen to support. Just ask the fans of every single league and team.*

*Same with officiating.

well, usually, the Big Ten has been the beneficiary of biases and intentional slights in college football

Hence the number of BCS appearances

however, I would not dismiss the point. Like it or not, the network that is covering games will do more to 'pimp' out those games for tv ratings.

Just saw this from the Wolverine Liberation Army in their look at Michigan State ****-ups from years gone by:

PSU is understandable and Indiana is just bad, but this is still pretty funny.

Ohio State loses to PSU, PSU blows one of its remaining games, MINNESOTA runs the table.

Minnesota=Big11Ten Champs.

IMO.

What's the tiebreaker if they all are 7-1 in conference? Minnesota has a great shot to run the table. They would have an overall better record than Ohio State, but not PSU. Would it come down to BCS ranking at that point? Who did the best against the 4th place team?

Wow, just looked it up. If that happens, it looks like Ohio State is eliminated for winning %. Then PSU and Minnesota didn't play each other. Since Penn State was the most recent representative, then Minnesota gets it.

All 3 would be considered champs, though.

Technically, the Big 10 awards co-championships to everyone tied in conference play. For the Rose Bowl, it's complicated but it goes something like this:

1. H2H
2. Fewest games against FCS teams (They're tied)
3. OOC record (OSU loses)
4. Last team getting an automatic BCS selection (OSU loses)
5. ???

I include the ??? because since Minn and Penn State haven't played each other, H2H doesn't apply so OSU's victory over Minn doesn't count in a 3 way tie. IIRC, the last time the Big 10 had two teams tied after they ran though the tiebreakers, the Big 10's college presidents simply voted on the representative.

If OSU loses #3, then when it gets to #4, it will be only a two team tie, so it starts at the beginning with 2 team tie. PSU and Minnesota are tied again through #4, so eliminates the last rep, which was PSU in 2005.

Just think, if Minnesota could have beaten OSU, we could have undefeated PSU and undefeated Minnesota. I think Ohio State beats PSU and ends all this garbage, though.

Looks like we'll get to see another Big 10 team get their ass kicked in the championship game. Hooray!

I haven't really been paying attention to Iowa this year, but apparently they have a pretty good defense. I am hoping Penn St. doesn't assume they've got this thing in the bag just yet. Anyone have any takes on the PSU - Iowa game?

Penn St. luckboxed, but tbh every BCS title game team luckboxes at least one game.

I think PSU can beat Alabama. They would get throttled by Texas, Oklahoma, USC, or Florida.

I watched the game, it definitely wasn't luck. Without the fumble, the score could easily be tied 6-6 and going to OT. Great defense was played by both teams. Any win in the horseshoe should be considered quality. Its a tough place to play.

Texas and Oklahoma don't play much defense, USC and Florida have already proved they are capable of losing to some crap teams.

But none of that matters. I am more worried about a road game against Iowa whose three losses were by a combined 9 points. They seem to play good defense and are fully capable of scoring.

lol at comparing ole miss to oregon state.

ya psu played well and deserved to win. osu/pryor made a huge mistake. so it goes.

i would not call it luckboxing.

lol @ luckboxed

No TOs. No penalties. Same yards per play. Yeah, they got super lucky.

I'd probably take Ole Miss straight up over Oregon State on a neutral field.

I wouldn't.

Who cares, they're clearly comparable.

Rose Bowl here we come.......