Big Ten fines UM, scolds Harbaugh for ref rant

You’ve heard the phrase “win and in” for advancing into the postseason.

Very much so because it was not quite clear what else Ohio State (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 2 CFP) has won. It went into double overtime and there were some questionable calls that really caused the outcome of the game. Both stand 10-2. The splash plays paid big dividends for the Nittany Lions’ offense in the third quarter as Trace McSorley threw touchdown passes on three consecutive drives to start the quarter.

But does the committee put the Big Ten conference champion in ahead of Ohio State?

Pitt’s point total was higher than any the Panthers’ hoops team scored in three meetings with the Orange last season, all Pitt victories. In addition, the conference announced that the institution has been fined $10,000 as a result of the violation. I thought they could have come to that conclusion past year, but they didn’t so there’s not much to do but wait and see. The Lions, though, would have two marquee wins – over No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Wisconsin – while Washington does not have one victory of that quality. How is the selection committee going to drop them down? I think the conferences that have a championship game, you have to go out and prove it another time on the field.

Ohio State won’t be playing in the Big Ten championship game, but it doesn’t matter.

Top-ranked Alabama is a lock, and Clemson seems safely in, but the committee would have four or five teams to consider for two spots.

The Big Ten did not publicly address the officials’ performance.

He was flagged for throwing his clipboard on the sideline, and he also spoke poorly about the officiating after the game – frustration that was egged on by the fourth-down review of an OSU run that was mighty close in the second overtime.

Committee members are given the flexibility to “examine whatever data they believe is relevant to inform their decisions”, including the instant classic 30-27 double-overtime win over No. 3 MI and the nation’s top defense last Saturday.

The Badgers (10-2, 7-2) already clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship game when Iowa beat Nebraska Friday, but they took care of business nonetheless by defeating the Golden Gophers (8-4, 5-4) 31-17 to retain Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

He complained about an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he drew, a pass interference against MI that prolonged a key drive for the Buckeyes and a non-call of pass interference against Ohio State. The fact Penn State actually become such a formidable team helps the Buckeyes. Its case for inclusion also will be a conversation starter.

Thousands of celebratory fans who stormed the field lingered in Ohio Stadium long after they had witnessed an instant classic in the history of one of the greatest rivalries in college football. “Our team has done everything it can possibly do and done it well”.