Penn State and James Franklin needed a huge upset to advance to the Big Ten championship game going into the last day of the regular season. And they succeeded in spite of the odds.

Michigan defeated No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday afternoon, and the No. 4-ranked Nittany Lions can secure a trip to the Big Ten title game with a victory over Maryland.

The Nittany Lions would play No. 1 Oregon for the conference title on December 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis if they defeated the Terrapins. A first-round bye in the new 12-team College Football Playoff would be awarded to the victor of the Penn State vs. Oregon game.

For Penn State to go to the Big Ten title game this weekend, Michigan has to defeat Ohio State for the second time in the league.

The Buckeyes were unable to get going against the Wolverines due to two interceptions by Will Howard and two failed field goals. The favorite by three touchdowns was Ohio State. However, that didn’t matter in the game because Ryan Day lost to Michigan for the fourth consecutive time.

After defeating Indiana, another one-loss Big Ten team, on tiebreakers, Penn State will now play Oregon, eliminating Ohio State from the picture. The fourth tiebreaker total opponent conference record is held by Penn State over Curt Cignetti’s squad.

The Nittany Lions will play the Ducks if Penn State defeats Maryland. The Hoosiers will go to Indianapolis if Indiana defeats Purdue and Penn State falls to Maryland.

Some argue that the chances of injury or a loss harming Penn State’s CFP status outweigh the benefits of making it to the conference championship game.

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However, Franklin stated this week that if the Nittany Lions were given the chance to participate in the Big Ten title game, they would be really thrilled.

If they defeat Maryland, they will have that opportunity.

Big Ten Network will broadcast the Penn State vs. Maryland game starting at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Stories by

Johnny McGonigal

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