This week's Big Ten Championship Game hinges on Ohio State and Northwestern both being able to play.
According to Ralph D. Russo of The Associated Press, there will be no Big Ten Championship Game if either Ohio State or Northwestern is unable to play this week. The Big Ten would consider scheduling a new game for the other team, but it would not cancel any of its other games scheduled for this week just to make that happen.
From the Big Ten, If either Ohio St or N'western cannot play in the championship, the game is a no contest. Big Ten would consider finding another opponent for the available team, but a) that would not be a champ game b) no other games would be canceled to provide an opponent.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) December 13, 2020
According to the tiebreaking procedures announced by the Big Ten prior to the season, the two division champions would be declared co-champions “if the championship game cannot be played (due to any reason beyond the control of the Big Ten Conference).”
Assuming both teams are able to play this week, the Big Ten Championship Game will kick off at noon at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will be televised on Fox. The full schedule of Big Ten games for next weekend:
#B1GFootball Champions Week
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 13, 2020
Check out the #B1G Football Champions Week schedule! Which matchup are you most excited for? pic.twitter.com/kFahxWgQZh
While Ohio State believes it controls its own destiny for the College Football Playoff as long as it is able to play Northwestern and win the Big Ten championship next weekend, it's very uncertain whether a 5-0 record would be enough for the Buckeyes to make the CFP if there is no Big Ten Championship Game.
