Obviously a lot has happened since Michigan last took to the court. Iowa has lost a bunch of key games, Ohio State has won some key games, and Illinois keeps surviving nail biters. Wisconsin is Wisconsin. So given all the happenings, how does Michigan now win the B1G? First, I'm going to assume they find a way to play all the games on their schedule. I think I have all the know games correct below but I'm unsure how the other teams games will be made up. If that is the case, the path to the Championship is much more difficult simply because they will have less rest between games and conditioning has probably taken a hit due to the layoff. Second, I'm going to assume every team on their schedule is going to lose at least one more game, in some cases that loss will be to Michigan. As of today, I only see three possible champs-Michigan, OSU, or Illinois. I don't think 5 losses (or more) will win the Conference so that eliminates Iowa, Wisconsin, and Purdue. Further, I believe all three of these teams will have at least one more loss. Here's what lies ahead for the 3 contending teams.
Let's start with Ohio State. They go to Maryland, PSU, and MSU with the Terps being the hardest game there. I think they win all three. Their known home games are Indy, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There is a least one loss, maybe two there. The Bucks likely end up with at least 5 losses, maybe 6.
Illinois only has 6 games left on the schedule, and maybe some makeups, but a lot of known tough games yet to play. They will likey win their two remaining home games against Northwestern and Nebraska, but go on the road to face Michigan, Minnesota (as we all know is a tough out at home), OSU, and Wisconsin. I think Illinois loses two of those road games so their losses would total 5. Obviously the loser of the Illinois vs OSU game is probably out of the race.
For Michigan, if they play all their games they have home games with MSU, Rutgers, Indiana and PSU. I think Michigan wins all of those games. They also have Iowa and Illinois at home. The best case scenario is that they win all 6 games. The worst case is probably that they lose 3 of these games. For this discussion let's call it two losses. That would give them 3 losses. Their 4 road games are MSU, OSU, Wisky, and NW. To win the Championship outright they would need to win 2 of these 4 road games. Obviously in the MSU and Northwestern games the Wolverines will be favored. The schedule works to Michigan's favor in that they only play Iowa and Illinois once, both at home. They only play OSU once on the road. A win over OSU on the road or beating Illinois at home will go a long way toward sealing the deal.
The path is clear. Win 5 out of 6 home games and 2 out of 4 road games. Protecting the home court is the key. Winning the two key remaining games is another. Go Blue!
Let's start with Ohio State. They go to Maryland, PSU, and MSU with the Terps being the hardest game there. I think they win all three. Their known home games are Indy, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There is a least one loss, maybe two there. The Bucks likely end up with at least 5 losses, maybe 6.
Illinois only has 6 games left on the schedule, and maybe some makeups, but a lot of known tough games yet to play. They will likey win their two remaining home games against Northwestern and Nebraska, but go on the road to face Michigan, Minnesota (as we all know is a tough out at home), OSU, and Wisconsin. I think Illinois loses two of those road games so their losses would total 5. Obviously the loser of the Illinois vs OSU game is probably out of the race.
For Michigan, if they play all their games they have home games with MSU, Rutgers, Indiana and PSU. I think Michigan wins all of those games. They also have Iowa and Illinois at home. The best case scenario is that they win all 6 games. The worst case is probably that they lose 3 of these games. For this discussion let's call it two losses. That would give them 3 losses. Their 4 road games are MSU, OSU, Wisky, and NW. To win the Championship outright they would need to win 2 of these 4 road games. Obviously in the MSU and Northwestern games the Wolverines will be favored. The schedule works to Michigan's favor in that they only play Iowa and Illinois once, both at home. They only play OSU once on the road. A win over OSU on the road or beating Illinois at home will go a long way toward sealing the deal.
The path is clear. Win 5 out of 6 home games and 2 out of 4 road games. Protecting the home court is the key. Winning the two key remaining games is another. Go Blue!
