With recent news of a rivalry game cancelation in the Big Ten, Wisconsin football could be looking at a few different options for champions week. Ohio State and Michigan was officially called off this morning, which leaves the Buckeyes at just five games played for the time being.
The Big Ten rule to qualify for the championship game is that at a team must play six games, but those guidelines could change this week. There is also the possibility of Ohio State finding a sixth game due to another in-conference cancelation, or the Big Ten allowing the Buckeyes to play an out of conference game.
So, how does this change Wisconsin’s final game of the year? If the Badgers lose to Iowa, it doesn’t. If UW can find a way to beat the Hawkeyes on Saturday, they would finish second in the Big Ten West, and be in line to play the second place team in the Big Ten East. If Ohio State can’t find a sixth game and the Big Ten does not change the rules, the Buckeyes would meet the Badgers during championship week. If Ohio State qualifies for the championship game, Indiana would be Wisconsin’s likely opponent.
There is also a rumor, that is currently just a rumor, that Wisconsin may try and schedule the battle for the axe with Minnesota during championship week. Nothing concrete has developed surrounding that possibility.