Ohio State Vs. Penn State: Buckeyes' Title Hopes On Life Support

Last week's loss to Purdue put the Ohio State Buckeyes on the brink of elimination in the Big Ten title race. At 3-3 Ohio State needs to win its remaining two games against Penn State and Michigan, then hope that Wisconsin loses to Illinois this week while beating Penn State next week. In that exact scenario the Buckeyes would go to Indianapolis as the Leaders' Division representative.

In that scenario Ohio State would be involved in a three- or four-way tie with Wisconsin, Penn State, and possibly Purdue, but a 2-1 record against those three teams (and Purdue's 1-2 record) would give them a major advantage. First, the Buckeyes must take care of business against Penn State on Senior Day in Columbus.

Much of the focus has been off the field for both teams this season. Ohio State has had its share of run-ins with the NCAA, but those pale in comparison with the allegations that Penn State has had to face in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. The Nittany Lions were 5-0 and fully in control of the Leaders Division before the scandal broke, but last week's loss to Nebraska opened up the race for everyone else.

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