Illinois football path to the Big Ten Championship – games to watch week 9

Illinois football is down but we are not out of the conversation for a Big Ten West title.

It is not an easy path for the Illini to represent the Big Ten West in the Big Ten Championship game. But there is a route for the Orange and Blue to take. We need a little help, though.

Current Big Ten West standings

• Wisconsin Badgers – 5-2 overall, 3-1 B1G
• Iowa Hawkeyes – 6-2 overall, 3-2 B1G
• Minnesota Golden Gophers – 4-3 overall, 2-2 B1G
• Nebraska Cornhuskers – 4-3 overall, 2-2 B1G
• Northwestern Wildcats – 3-4 overall, 1-3 B1G
• Purdue Boilermakers – 2-5 overall, 1-3 B1G
• Illinois Fighting Illini – 3-5 overall, 1-4 B1G

Here are the games to watch if Illinois football wants to make the Big Ten Championship game

• Wisconsin Badgers vs. #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (need Wisconsin loss)

With Wisconsin two games ahead of Illinois in the Big Ten West standings and having the head-to-head tiebreaker, every loss is crucial. Ohio State needs to take care of business here so Wisconsin can drop another conference matchup.

• Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Michigan State Spartans (need Minnesota loss)

While Minnesota is ahead of Illinois in the standings, the two teams play each other in a couple of weeks. That can sway the tiebreaker in favor of the Illini. But we still need the Golden Gophers to lose as many games as possible to Big Ten East opponents.

• Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers (need Nebraska loss)

Illinois loses the tiebreaker to both of these teams. With Nebraska having the better conference record, and Purdue’s schedule looking tougher to end the season, I think we need the Cornhuskers to drop this game to the Boilermakers.

• Northwestern Wildcats vs. Maryland Terrapins (need Northwestern loss)

This isn’t a crucial game for Illinois despite Northwestern technically being ahead of us in the Big Ten West standings. We control our destiny against the Wildcats in the last game of the season. Plus, Maryland isn’t in the Big Ten West, so a win or loss by the Terrapins doesn’t have an impact on Illinois. Seeing Northwestern lose is always fun, though.

Ideal Big Ten West standings after week 9

• Wisconsin Badgers – 5-3 overall, 3-2 B1G
• Iowa Hawkeyes – 6-2 overall, 3-2 B1G
• Minnesota Golden Gophers – 4-4 overall, 2-3 B1G
• Nebraska Cornhuskers – 4-4 overall, 2-3 B1G
• Purdue Boilermakers – 3-5 overall, 2-3 B1G
• Illinois Fighting Illini – 3-5 overall, 1-4 B1G
• Northwestern Wildcats – 3-5 overall, 1-4 B1G