Report: Big Ten Likely to Tweak Title Game Requirement If OSU Can't Play 6 Games

It appears Ohio State fans can breathe a little easier.

Stadium's Brett McMurphy reported Saturday the Big Ten is considering loosening its requirements to qualify for the conference championship game. A team needs to play six games to compete for the Big Ten title this season, and there has been some concern that Ohio State—which has had two games canceled and played its fifth contest Saturday—may not hit that threshold.

The Athletic's Scott Dochterman reported the Big Ten is also weighing whether to stage two games in Indianapolis on Dec. 18, the day ahead of the championship game.

The Buckeyes play their biggest rival, Michigan, on Dec. 12. The Wolverines had to cancel Saturday's clash with Maryland, however, because of positive COVID-19 tests and associated contact tracing. Jim Harbaugh's team may not have the numbers to take the field in Columbus, Ohio.

The Big Ten has a vested interest in strengthening Ohio State's profile since the Buckeyes are the conference's only shot to send a representative to the College Football Playoff. OSU landed fourth in the most recent CFP rankings. No. 12 Indiana was the next closest Big Ten program.

Some will accuse the Big Ten of playing favorites, and that's a fair critique. But this is an unprecedented situation, and changing rules on the fly can sometimes be necessary.

The six-game mandate may have been a mistake anyway. The NCAA Division I Council waived its bowl eligibility standards, eliminating the need for teams to win six games to secure postseason berths. 

The Big Ten isn't the only conference accommodating its best, either. The ACC effectively gave Notre Dame, Clemson and Miami a bye in the final week of the regular season.

All the handwringing about Ohio State could prove moot if the Buckeyes reach the Big Ten title game and lose to Northwestern, which clinched the bid from the Big Ten West on Saturday.