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Ohio State Still Eligible For Big Ten Division Title, Trophy

Ohio State can still win a division title in the Big Ten despite being ineligible for the postseason.

Sept 1, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Carlos Hyde (34) celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Redhawks at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE
Sept 1, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Carlos Hyde (34) celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Redhawks at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE

The Ohio State Buckeyes are not eligible for a bowl game or the Big Ten championship game due to a one-year postseason ban for NCAA rules violations. But OSU can still be recognized with a title if it wins the Leaders Division this season.

Because the games count on the records for other teams, a conference spokesman said the Buckeyes can win the title. The same applies to Penn State, which was also sanctioned by the NCAA.

This news, of course, gives the Buckeyes something to play for, even if it isn't quite a trip to a bowl game.

Both Penn State and Ohio State are ineligible for the conference championship this season, leaving only four teams to represent the Leaders Division, which also includes Illinois, Indiana, Purdue and Wisconsin - the expected favorite to reach the title game. Ohio State opens its conference schedule Sept. 29 at Michigan State.

For more on Ohio State football; check out Land-Grant Holy Land and SB Nation Cleveland.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.