:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8711649/20120901_jla_af7_185.jpg)
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.