Tag: Big Ten Title Game

Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium to continue to host Big Ten title game through 2028

Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium to continue to host Big Ten title game through 2028

The Big Ten title game will remain at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana through 2028, per an announcement from Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti during Tuesday’s first day of Big Ten media days.

Despite the Big Ten’s recent 18-team expansion and new West Coast members, Indianapolis retains its claim over the conference title game. 2024 marked the final year of the Big Ten’s contract with the venue before Pettiti confirmed the blueprint through 2028.

Lucas Oil Stadium has hosted the Big Ten title game since 2011. While the previous ten contests have included the victors of the East and West Divisions, 2024 will mark the first season where the conference’s championship match features teams with the two best overall marks from regular season play.

Since its inception 13 years ago, Wisconsin and Ohio State boast the most appearances at six each. The Buckeyes have won in five of those instances, a record for the Big Ten title game era.

With four West Coast squads — USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon, joining the Big Ten this fall, the title game’s location could certainly change down the line. Indianapolis’ connection to the conference’s biggest game of the season, though, will keep the title bout in the Midwest until 2028.

An Ohio State loss to Penn State could ruin Buckeyes dominant season

If the Ohio State Buckeyes lose to the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, their historically dominant season could be in trouble.

Ohio State, in 2019, won’t settle for a Rose Bowl-type finale. They need to make the College Football Playoff, and after the dominance it has shown this season, that’s the only possible way to dub this season successful.

However, the Buckeyes’ matchup with Penn State could put a serious sour note to the entire season if it doesn’t go their way.

The main reason why it would be so disastrous is that Ohio State would then fail to make the Big Ten Championship game, not being the front-runner to come out of the East with just one game to go.

The Nittany Lions may be 6-1 in conference play, losing to Minnesota, while Ohio State is a clean 7-0, but what’s important is the record within the conference and Penn State would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

A one-loss Penn State or Minnesota team that takes over as Big Ten Champs would be going against Ohio State in terms of making the Playoff. The committee seems to favor teams without bad losses and with conference championships. Or, that have an SEC logo on their chest.

That means Oregon and Penn State would both likely be competing directly with the Buckeyes. But, let’s remember one thing first: Penn State must actually beat Ohio State.

We saw Wisconsin, who once considered a top-two team in the Big Ten, get absolutely manhandled by Ohio State. There’s no reason to think the same won’t happen to Penn State.

With the return of Chase Young, Ohio State will be at nearly full strength, and this could be over in the first 45 minutes. If it’s not, this game could spell trouble for Ohio State’s historic season.

The game kicks off Saturday, at noon EST on FOX. Be there, and be loud.