Oregon fans will get to sit back worry-free this weekend and watch the rest of the college football landscape unfold knowing their Ducks are the No. 1 team in the country and have already punched their ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game after enduring a marathon of adversity that no other team had to.

Of primary interest for the Ducks will be the matchup between the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers and the one-loss (you're welcome) Ohio State Buckeyes. The outcome of this game could very well, and likely will, decide who Oregon plays in the Big Ten Championship Game. Waiting behind them is Penn State, who is lingering but would need some significant help to get into the Big Ten Championship. Let's look at some scenarios.

"I believe their front seven will give Ohio State's offensive line all they want… I think Indiana wins this game. This moment's not gonna be too big for em."

?️ @AaronTaylorCFB is taking @IndianaFootball over the Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/uPXxC7dnBa

— CBS Sports College Football ? (@CBSSportsCFB) November 19, 2024

Ohio State path to the Big Ten Championship

Ohio State still controls their own path. At 9-1 overall and a 6-1 conference record, their lone loss on the season was in Autzen stadium to the Ducks. For the Buckeyes, their path is straightforward — if they win their final two games against Indiana and Michigan, they're in, setting the stage for the Big Ten rematch of the best game of the college football season between Oregon and Ohio State. 

Indiana path to the Big Ten Championship

The Hoosiers, arguably the most surprising team in all of college football this year, have it similar to the Buckeyes — win and you're in. Indiana would matchup with the Ducks in the Big Ten Championship with wins over Ohio State and Purdue. For Indiana, they could also get the spot with a loss to Ohio State if Ohio State stubs their toe in the heated rivalry game against Michigan in their final game of the season.

Penn State path to the Big Ten Championship

Penn State looks poised to be in the College Football Playoffs, but their Big Ten Championship Game path would take some help. Penn State is currently 9-1 with a 6-1 Big Ten Conference record with two conference games to go. If their conference record and Indiana's conference record end up being an identical 8-1, Penn State would count on the tiebreaker of highest cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents at the end of the season, which Penn State currently holds. 

Penn State could also get the final spot on a straight up record basis if Indiana drops their last two games and Ohio State loses to Michigan, which seems unlikely, but nothing is impossible in college football. 

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For Oregon, as contrary as it seems, I think the rooting interest should likely be for Ohio State. There's a good chance Oregon will have to face the Buckeyes again at some point, and I'd rather see them in the Big Ten Championship Game than in an elimination setting. 

What's even crazier — there's a very real possibility Oregon and Ohio State could play in the Big Ten Championship Game and again in the College Football Playoffs. These two teams are on a collision course that could be painting the picture of a fantastic new rivalry in the college football landscape. 

Oregon Ducks could set a shocking precedent against Washington after clinching spot in Big Ten Championship

Dan Lanning has a big choice to make.

Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.