Overview
- Ohio State moved to 10-0 and is described as practically a playoff lock, with the remaining schedule poised to determine whether the Buckeyes secure a first-round bye.
- Indiana improved to 11-0 with a 31-7 win over Wisconsin and is widely viewed as having effectively clinched a CFP spot headed into a finale at Purdue.
- Michigan stayed alive with a 24-22 escape at Northwestern but likely lost leading rusher Justice Haynes for the regular season, as coach Sherrone Moore said he is probably out; Jordan Marshall is day to day.
- Bleacher Report’s post-Week 12 bracket projects Ohio State as an automatic qualifier and includes Indiana among the top at-large bids, reflecting multiple Big Ten paths into the 12-team field.
- USC beat Iowa to reach 8-2 and remains in the two-loss discussion, Penn State earned its first Big Ten win under interim Terry Smith, and Michigan State’s skid hit seven as FanDuel opened the Spartans +16.5 at Iowa.