The Big Ten has three teams still alive for a spot opposite Oregon in the Big Ten championship game after Ohio State’s 38-15 win over Indiana on Saturday. Indiana, Penn State and Ohio State all have a chance to play the Ducks in Indianapolis on Dec.
Here is a look at where those contenders are in the standings, their respective paths to the Big Ten championship and the tie-breaker rules should two teams – or three or more teams – tie in the conference standings at the end of the regular season.
MORE: Updated ACC tiebreakers | Big 12 tiebreakers | SEC tiebreakers
Big Ten football standings 2024
The Big Ten has four teams in contention for the College Football Playoff and Big Ten title. Here is a look at those teams:
| SCHOOL | BIG TEN | OVERALL | PF | PA |
| Oregon | 8-0 | 11-0 | 373 | 173 |
| Ohio State | 7-1 | 10-1 | 416 | 118 |
| Indiana | 7-1 | 10-1 | 454 | 176 |
| Penn State | 6-1 | 9-1 | 330 | 136 |
Big Ten tiebreaker rules
Here are the Big Ten tie-breaker procedures to follow in order to determine who makes the conference championship game, according to the conference’s official website
Head to head
“The tied teams will be compared based on head-to-head matchups during the regular season.”
Common conference opponents
“The tied teams will be compared based on record against all common conference opponents”
Common Opponents
“The tied teams will be compared based on record against common opponents with the best conference record and proceeding through the common conference opponents based on their order of finish within the conference standings.”
Cumulative conference winning percentage
“The tied teams will be compared based on the best cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents.”
SportSource Analytics ranking
“The representative will be chosen based on the highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the regular season.”
Random Draw
“The representative will be chosen by random draw among the tied teams conducted by the commissioner or designee.”
Big Ten contenders path to the championship game
Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten)
Remaining schedule: vs. Washington
The Ducks have secured one spot in the Big Ten championship game no matter what happens in the regular-season finale against Washington. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 on Oct. 12, and that common opponent victory would come in handy in the event of three- or four-way tie in the conference.
Indiana (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
Remaining schedule: vs. Purdue
Despite the loss to Ohio State, Indiana can still reach its first Big Ten championship game. Michigan would have to upset Ohio State and Penn State would need to lose one of its two final games against Minnesota or Maryland. If Indiana and Penn State finish tied for second at 7-1, Penn State wins the tiebreaker.
Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
Remaining schedule: vs. Michigan
After a win against Indiana, it is simple for the Buckeyes — win and you’re in to the Big Ten title game for a rematch with Oregon. If the Buckeyes lose to Michigan, they need to hope for a three-way tie for second at 7-2. That would require a Purdue upset of Indiana.
Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten)
Remaining schedule: at Minnesota, vs. Maryland
The Nittany Lions have a head-to-head loss to Ohio State, but the 12-team setup offers a chance for James Franklin to finally make a playoff appearance. Penn State cannot afford a second loss if it wants to make the College Football Playoff. For Penn State to make the Big Ten championship game it needs to win out and have Michigan upset Ohio State.
Big Ten common opponents tracker for 2024
Here is a look at the common opponents for the four teams in contention. Keep this chart handy:
| OPPONENT | OREGON | INDIANA | OSU | PENN ST |
| Indiana | – | – | L 38-15 | – |
| Illinois | W 38-9 | – | – | W 21-7 |
| Iowa | – | – | W 35-7 | |
| Maryland | W 39-18 | W 42-28 | – | Nov. 30 |
| Michigan | W 38-17 | W 20-15 | Nov. 30 | |
| Michigan State | W 31-10 | W 47-10 | W 38-7 | |
| Minnesota | – | – | – | Nov. 23 |
| Nebraska | – | W 56-7 | W 21-17 | |
| Northwestern | – | W 41-24 | W 31-7 | |
| Ohio State | W 32-31 | W 38-15 | – | L 20-13 |
| Oregon | – | – | L 32-31 | |
| Penn State | – | – | W 20-13 | |
| Purdue | W 35-0 | Nov. 30 | W 45-0 | W 49-10 |
| Rutgers | – | – | – | |
| UCLA | W 34-13 | – | – | W 27-11 |
| USC | – | – | – | W 33-30 |
| Wisconsin | W 16-13 | – | – | W 28-13 |
| Washington | Nov. 30 | W 31-17 | – | W 35-6 |
Most likely Big Ten championship game scenario
Oregon will play Ohio State, which should be a healthy favorite to end its three-year losing streak to Michigan on Saturday. Oregon and Ohio State played a thrilling 31-30 regular season game in Eugene in October and a rematch would be much anticipated.
If Michigan pulls the upset, Penn State would be the team opposite the Ducks in Indianapolis if it gets to 8-1 in league play as the Lions would win a tie-breaker with Indiana via the cumulative record of conference opponents in conference play.
