3. The Most Overrated Thing Was …
Minnesota losing to Iowa.
The Gophers had this budgeted in.
Let Iowa run around with the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy. Let the fans rush the field and celebrate like crazy now that the Hawkeyes did what the Hawkeyes do – have a good year with a signature win, and no Big Ten championship.
Minnesota isn’t going to lose at Northwestern, so what the Penn State win did was allow for a loss to either Iowa or Wisconsin to take the West and get into the Big Ten Championship.
Of course, it would’ve been wonderful to get by Iowa – this was a rivalry game, after all – but wouldn’t it be more fun to celebrate a division title in Minneapolis than in Evanston?
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 17, 2019
That could still happen, by the way, if Wisconsin gacks at home against Purdue, but it’s unlikely.
Best of all for Minnesota, unlike Baylor losing to Oklahoma, taking a loss is just fine in the College Football Playoff race.
Beat Northwestern, beat Wisconsin, and win the Big Ten title over the Ohio State/Penn State winner and … in.
IN, IN, IN … no questions asked.
Unlike a 12-1 Big 12 or Pac-12 champion this season, a 12-1 Big Ten champion is absolutely in. That can be Ohio State – if it beats Penn State but loses to Michigan. That can be Penn State if it wins out, and that can be Minnesota.
If the Gophers go 11-1 and then beat this monster Buckeye team, boom. There’s no leaving them out. If they beat the team that beats this monster Buckeye team, boom.
That boat isn’t sunk yet.
Week 12 Roundup
Winners & Losers | The Really Big Thing
Most Underrated Thing | What It All Means