Big Ten Football: Ranking teams' paths to the National Championship

The college football rankings show was this past Sunday where the Big Ten was the most represented conference in the CFP 12-team playoff bracket with four teams.

No. 1 Oregon, No. 6 Penn State, No. 8 Ohio State, and No. 10 Indiana each got selected, so let’s rank their playoff paths to the National Championship.

4: Ohio State

Not only does Ohio State have the most pressure to win a national championship this season, but they also have one of the toughest paths to the national championship.

They face No. 9 Tennessee in the first round, whose defense has been one of the best defenses in the SEC and in the country.

The Buckeyes would then face No. 1 Oregon in a rematch of their 32-31 classic in Eugene.

To conclude what would be a great run to the national championship game, they would have to beat No. 5 Texas most likely.

That potential schedule doesn’t favor the Buckeyes and would be a gauntlet of games if they survive.

With the way Ohio State closed out their season, losing a spot in the Big Ten championship after getting embarrassed by their rival, Michigan in ‘The Game,’ they have a lot to prove, and Ryan Day has to be playing for his job during these playoffs.

Losing in the first or second round of these college football playoffs isn’t an option for an Ohio State team, which was built to win the national championship with the 20 million dollar roster they put together.

No. 3: Indiana

The Hoosiers are heading into these playoffs off an unexpected 11-1 season under head coach Curt Cignetti.

Indiana has a team that can make a run when they are playing at their best and is motivated to prove that they belong in this playoff.

However, they dominated their opponents other than Ohio State, which may cause concern since the Buckeyes were the only good team they faced.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke will have to play his best football against a Notre Dame defense led by safety Xavier Watts that has been great all season.

The Hoosiers don’t match up particularly well against teams like Notre Dame and Georgia, who can impact games defensively in more ways than any other teams in the CFP. but looking at the bracket, their road to the Cotton Bowl is easier than any team’s road to the Orange Bowl.

No. 2: Oregon

Oregon is placed at two in this ranking because they can match up against anyone in this playoff bracket, while Indiana will likely struggle. They faced what turned out to be their toughest test at Penn State, and they still had complete control over the outcome of the game.

There isn’t a team that can phase Dan Lanning and the impact he has when preparing his players to play every week.

Oregon has looked unstoppable over the entirety of the season on their way to a 13-0 Big Ten championship season and earned the No. 1 seed in the CFP to show for it.

They are faced with the toughest opponent in the second round of the playoff whether it’s Ohio State or Tennessee. It is unfair how the CFP will work until changes are made, but ultimately I don’t think it will matter.

I won’t count out the Ducks in any matchup and with the way Dillon Gabriel and Tez Johnson are connecting, they will be difficult to stop.

Each team Oregon could face has weaknesses the Ducks can exploit. They have an effective run game with Jordan James and Noah Whittington and they have a great receiving game at the wideout and tight end position.

No. 1: Penn State

The Nittany Lions should be thankful they fell short in the Big Ten championship. On CFP selection day, Penn State came out victorious with what many say is the most favorable schedule to reach the CFP semifinal.

Looking at the bracket, their road to the Cotton Bowl is easier than any team’s road to the Orange Bowl with the concerns with Georgia and Carson Beck’s arm.

Now that’s no disrespect to their opponents in SMU and Boise State but they aren’t comparable to SEC or Big Ten teams.

It will be a prove-it moment for head coach James Franklin if he wants to prove he is able to beat the tougher competition in college football.

Penn State will have to depend on Tyler Warren in the passing game and the running back duo of Nic Singleton and Kaytron Allen on offense, while on defense, Abdul Carter showcases his top-five draft pick potential.

Owen Daszko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email opd5073@psu.edu.