Resumes of Big Ten College Football Playoff Contenders

As the college football season begins to wind down, college football fans begin to look towards the playoffs. This season, with the addition of the 12-team playoff format, some teams and conferences are making their statements of why they should be in the playoff.

The media has put a lot of heat on the Big Ten, claiming that multiple SEC teams should make the playoffs before multiple Big Ten teams. But to push all of that aside, let’s take a look at the resumes of the four potential Big Ten playoff teams as they currently stand.

Oregon, 11-0, 8-0 Conference

We start out with the most clear-cut contender from the Big Ten.

The Oregon Ducks started their season shakily, nearly losing both of their first two games.

Through that tough start however, the Ducks have compiled three ranked wins including a win over another Big Ten Contender in the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Ducks this season are ranked 39th in the country in strength of schedule, playing both good and bad opponents.

Led by Dillon Gabriel and Jordan James the offense has been dynamic totaling 4,924 total yards which ranks fifth in the country. The offense is scoring efficiently as well, scoring 33.9 points-per-game.

The defense for the Ducks has been great as well, ranking ninth in the nation only allowing nearly 16 points-per-game. They rank eighth in the nation in yards-per-game only allowing 287.

Oregon is almost certainly bound for the Big Ten championship, who their opponent in that game will be is not so clear.

Ohio State, 9-1, 6-1 Conference

The world famous Buckeyes were dealt a blow mid-season in a loss to the aforementioned Oregon Ducks.

They have been incredibly impressive since that loss.

Ohio State has compiled only one ranked win this season, marching into Happy Valley and coming out with a victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Though only having one ranked win, the Buckeyes rank 18th in their strength of schedule.

Ohio State’s offense ranks 12 in the country in points-per-game scoring nearly 38 points. Their running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins have rushed for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns between them.

The Buckeye defense has been the best part of an incredibly talented squad. They are tied for first in the nation only allowing just over 10 points-per-game. They also rank second in yards per game allowing a few yards north of 250.

The Buckeyes aren’t a lock for the playoff just yet, a loss to fellow contender Indiana could be the finale to their playoff hopes.

Penn State, 9-1, 6-1 Conference

The Nittany Lions were the team slated to benefit most from the additional teams in the playoff format.

As it stands they would be a part of the inaugural playoffs.

Now the blue and white are in an odd position. They only have one ranked win this season, that being over Illinois back in September. Since then their best game was a one-score loss to Ohio State.

In terms of strength of schedule, the Nittany Lions rank 32nd.

Offensively, many questions loom for Penn State. Drew Allar has been solid at quarterback, but the wide receiver group's production has been nonexistent in big games. The Nittany Lions do have one of the best tight ends in the nation in Tyler Warren.

Defensively Penn State has been one of the best units in the nation. Bolstered by future first-round pick Abdul Carter the defense is only giving up nearly 14 points a game which ranks them sixth in the nation.

The Nittany Lions close out their schedule looking to make the playoffs for the first time in school history.

Indiana, 10-0, 7-0 Conference

The Hoosiers have been the surprise of the college football season so far. After hiring coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has burst out to a 10-0 record when few predicted them to finish even close to the top of the Big Ten.

One of the caveats with the Hoosiers is the fact that they do not have a ranked win this season. They rank 66th in the country with their strength of schedule. This puts them right around the middle of all division one teams.

Indiana’s offense ranks second in the nation in points-per-game scoring around 44 a game. Running backs Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton have combined to rush for over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns between themselves.

Their defense has been just as impressive, ranking seventh in the nation only allowing around 14 points-per-game. Though, this defense remains untested against a ranked opponent.

The fate of the Hoosiers season rests with their matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes. If they win they would find themselves in the playoffs. With a loss, anything could happen.

Luke Stefanisko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ljs6415@psu.edu.