Big Ten East powers Michigan and Ohio State enjoyed an open date Saturday before the November leg of the conference schedule. The Wolverines (7-1, 5-0) and Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) both must win out to get the conference into the College Football Playoff, and they better look good doing it in the leadup to their matchup at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 24 to ensure that happens. Why is that? Because neither team will get much help by winning the conference championship game. Saturday’s results re-emphasized what a mess the Big Ten West is: — Northwestern (5-3, 5-1) leads the division after an impressive 31-17 victory over Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2). The Wildcats also have nonconference losses to Duke and Akron. The Badgers, who opened at No. 4 in the AP Preseason Poll, are out. — Iowa (6-2, 3-2) missed an opportunity to take charge of the division race by losing a 30-24 thriller at Penn State (6-2,…
Continue Reading: Big Ten West mess puts pressure on Michigan, Ohio State to win big in November
