College Football 2011: The 10 Games That Will Decide the Big Ten Championship
In football and other sports, there are important games that define how a season plays out.
Here are 10 games that will decide the outcome of the Big Ten Championship. Interested? Read on to find out.
10/1 Michigan State @ Ohio State
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This matchup pits Big Ten Co-Champions from a year ago.
It will be vitally important for Michigan State and Ohio State to start off well in their first conference games.
A win for Michigan State would help the Spartans prove that last season was no fluke.
Likewise, an Ohio State victory in its biggest test to date would give the Buckeyes confidence going forward.
10/1 Nebraska @ Wisconsin
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As with Michigan State and Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin will want to set a good tone by winning their first conference games.
Within the friendly confines of Camp Randall, this is a must-win for Wisconsin. If not, the Badgers could fall behind quickly; after the bye and the Indiana game, Wisconsin will play Michigan State (its lone loss from a year ago) and Ohio State in consecutive weeks––on the road.
This game is less important for Nebraska. After Wisconsin, its toughest tests will be played in Lincoln. A victory here would give the Cornhuskers breathing room, especially if Iowa or Michigan State falter.
10/8 Ohio State @ Nebraska
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This will probably be Ohio State's toughest test in 2011.
Not only is the game away from Ohio Stadium, this is the first game in which the five suspended Buckeyes are eligible to return. While this is good news, the situation presents a double-edged sword. Pryor and Co. will likely be rusty. Team chemistry could also be negatively impacted if a starter playing well is benched in favor of a returning Buckeye.
After Nebraska, the schedule looks favorable with Wisconsin and Penn State as the toughest tests. If the Cornhuskers manage to win their first two conference games, Ohio State has a reasonable shot at going undefeated in conference play.
The same is largely true for Nebraska. After the Cornhuskers' first two conference games, the remaining schedule is more friendly.
Given the tough competition each of these teams faces in their first conference games, one or both may enter the game with an 0-1 conference record. If that's the case, this game becomes a must-win; with two losses, it becomes much more difficult for them to win their respective divisions.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
10/22 Wisconsin @ Michigan State
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Michigan State was the lone team to deal Wisconsin a loss in 2010. The Badgers will want to pay the Spartans back in kind in 2011.
This game is almost a must-win for both teams; Wisconsin plays at Ohio State and Michigan State plays at Nebraska the week after. The team that loses this game has a significant chance of losing two in a row, which could irreparably damage Big Ten title dreams.
10/29 Michigan State @ Nebraska
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This will be a decisive game for the Legends division.
Among the teams from this division, Nebraska and Michigan State were the two best last year. They will likely be among the Legends' best this year.
The winner holds the all-important tiebreaker in case of identical conference records. This could determine who goes to the Big Ten Championship Game or stays home.
10/29 Wisconsin @ Ohio State
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This will be the decisive game in the Leaders division.
Outside of Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin shouldn't have much competition in Leaders.
Wisconsin was the sole team to defeat Ohio State in 2010. The Buckeyes will be out looking for revenge in this one.
The winner will have the tiebreaker for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game.
11/12 Michigan State @ Iowa
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In 2010, Iowa annihilated Michigan State 37-6, ending Spartan dreams of a perfect season.
Iowa could surprise in 2011. The Hawkeyes disappointed in 2010 but have a favorable schedule with which to bounce back.
In its first five conference games, Iowa plays Penn State, Northwestern, Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan. By the time the Hawkeyes play Michigan State, they could be 5-0 or 4-1 in conference play.
This makes this game very important, especially for Michigan State. If the Spartans have two losses heading in, a loss against an Iowa squad with a conference record of 4-1 or better would destroy their championship dreams. Even if Michigan State won its last two games and Iowa lost its last two, they would have identical 5-3 conference records with Iowa getting the tiebreaker.
11/19 Penn State @ Ohio State
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No one expects Penn State to compete for the Big Ten crown, but the Nittany Lions could surprise people. Towards the end of 2010, they were playing better football.
Their schedule is conducive for a comeback; they play Indiana, Iowa, Purdue, Northwestern and Illinois in their first five conference games. At that point, they could be 5-0 or 4-1 and be serious competitors in the Leaders division.
The final three games will show what Penn State is made of with games against Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin.
Even if Penn State isn't a serious competitor, the Nittany Lions could play spoiler; last year, they led Ohio State 14-3 at the half before the Buckeyes stormed back.
11/26 Iowa @ Nebraska
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This could be the decisive game in the Legends division.
With Iowa's relatively easy schedule and Nebraska positioned as a favorite in Legends, this game could determine who plays for the Big Ten Championship.
The winner of this game, or Michigan State, will be the likely representative of the Legends division in the Big Ten Championship Game.
11/26 Penn State @ Wisconsin
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In all likelihood, this game probably won't determine whether Penn State or Wisconsin plays in the Big Ten Championship Game. It could determine whether Ohio State or Wisconsin is the representative from Leaders, though.
Unless Ohio State is eliminated from winning the Leaders division, Wisconsin can ill-afford to lose this game. Given the astonishing regularity with which Ohio State has beaten Michigan in the Jim Tressel era, a slip-up could mean the loss of a Big Ten Championship Game berth for Wisconsin.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
