We know that it won’t happen, but why not lay all of the scenarios out?

The reality is, 10 B1G games will not host ESPN’s College GameDay in 2017. In fact, half of that would still cause an uproar outside of B1G country.

But we still broke down 10 B1G games and their future chances of hosting the pregame show because it also serves as an early look at the headliners we have to look forward to.

Keep in mind that this prediction is being made before we have any knowledge of time slots and networks for these games. If FOX announces in a couple weeks that it has rights to one of these games, the odds of GameDay traveling to that site decrease significantly.

So with that said, here are the top 10 B1G games that could host College GameDay in 2017.

10. Nov. 18 — Nebraska vs. Penn State

Biggest competition — LSU vs. Tennessee, Utah at Washington, Michigan vs. Wisconsin

What are the chances? — GameDay doesn’t like to travel to games with double-digit favorites. The ideal game for them involves two legitimate top-25 teams playing down to the wire with postseason ramifications. It’s early, but Penn State would likely be a significant favorite for this one. It also might not be the best game in the B1G that day.

Still, if the Huskers and Lions are both leading their respective divisions, this could make for an intriguing matchup. It’s also worth noting that the national slate isn’t great for this week.

9. Nov. 11 — Iowa vs. Wisconsin

Biggest competition — USC at Colorado, Georgia at Auburn, Florida State at Clemson

What are the chances? — If it’s late in the season and there’s a potential B1G West crown at stake with two top-25 teams, this game has a legitimate chance at hosting GameDay. In case you forgot, GameDay loves Madison and likely wouldn’t mind going back there another year.

But Iowa would have to be a surprise team late in the season. This is also the same weekend as Florida State vs. Clemson, which could essentially be the ACC Championship. What’s the only hope for Wisconsin here? Chances are, ESPN isn’t going to wait until the second week of November to visit the defending national champs.

It would still take a lot of balls to bounce Wisconsin’s way for this one.

8. Oct. 7 — Wisconsin vs. Nebraska 

Biggest competition — LSU vs. Florida, Alabama vs. Texas A&M, Stanford vs. Utah

What are the chances? — Let me paint you a scenario. Nebraska and Wisconsin are both undefeated after Week 5. Both teams earned legitimate road wins in non-conference play and had favorable draws to start B1G play. Both B1G West teams are in the top 25 — probably top 10 for Wisconsin — and Husker fans are drinking the Kool-Aid.

It’s been 10 years since College GameDay traveled to Lincoln, and trust me, they hear about it. The national slate isn’t exactly loaded with top-25 matchups. If Nebraska and Wisconsin start undefeated, Alabama and Texas A&M would likely be the biggest competition, assuming the Aggies get off to their typical hot start (before crashing and burning in November).

Crazier things have happened. And if recent history is any indication, it should be a good one.

7. Nov. 4 — Ohio State vs. Iowa

Biggest competition — LSU vs. Alabama, Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State, Texas vs. TCU

What are the chances? — GameDay missed out by not making the trip to Iowa City for last year’s thriller against Michigan. They could have the same opportunity again when Ohio State faces off with Iowa. If Iowa has final say in the kickoff time, it’ll be a night game. Night games at Kinnick are electric, especially when a top-10 team like Ohio State comes into down.

But GameDay didn’t come to Iowa City last year for the Michigan game because the Hawkeyes were waxed at Penn State a week earlier. In order for this to even be a possibility, Iowa has to be a top-25 team with a little momentum.

There are three games that look like potential top-25 showdowns — in March — that Iowa could be competing with. That would complicate things if those teams remain in the top 25.

It’s been 11 years since GameDay came to Iowa City. It was an Ohio State matchup that brought ESPN’s crew to Kinnick. Perhaps that’s what it’ll take for it to happen again.

6. Sept. 2 — Michigan vs. Florida (in Dallas)

Biggest competition — Alabama vs. Florida State (in Atlanta)

What are the chances? — Normally, the opener in Dallas would be a top-three option for the B1G. GameDay made the trip to Jerry World four of the last six years. With Jim Harbaugh’s squad taking on a possible top-25 SEC team, why wouldn’t GameDay be there?

Well, it’s going to be awfully difficult to turn down an Alabama-Florida State matchup at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That showdown is the marquee matchup of the opening weekend, which makes it the obvious favorite to host GameDay.

But that’s still not a guarantee. And fortunately for Michigan-Florida, that’s really its only competition opening weekend.

5. Nov. 18 — Michigan vs. Wisconsin 

Biggest competition — LSU vs. Tennessee, Utah at Washington, Nebraska vs. Penn State

What are the chances? — On paper, this one makes a lot of sense. Besides the aforementioned reasons about Madison being an entertaining destination for GameDay, the matchup could involve two top-10 teams in the second to last week of the season. The national matchups — again, in March — don’t look loaded, either.

So why only No. 5?

Well, if GameDay is going to start making annual trips to see Michigan vs. Ohio State, the odds of GameDay going to back-to-back Michigan games aren’t likely. Even during Alabama’s reign of dominance in the 2010s, GameDay never had back-to-back games involving the Tide. In other words, this could be a one-or-the-other scenario.

But GameDay could decide the matchup is too good to turn down. Either that or they can’t get enough of Wisconsin’s topical signs.

4. Nov. 25 — Ohio State vs. Michigan

Biggest competition — Alabama vs. Auburn, Florida State vs. Florida, Washington State vs. Washington

What are the chances? — As I wrote in No. 5, a lot of this could depend on what they decide to do with that Michigan vs. Wisconsin matchup the week before. But a year removed from the first overtime game in the storied history of this rivalry, odds are that GameDay is going back to The Game.

It didn’t matter that it was a noon kickoff last year. GameDay visited The Game for the first time since 2007. If there’s something extra at stake — a division crown — it would be a lock. But that’s a big if.

If either one of these teams has a down year, GameDay could resume its annual trip to the Iron Bowl. A lot can happen before Nov. 25.

3. Sept. 9 — Oklahoma vs. Ohio State 

Biggest competition — Stanford vs. USC, Auburn at Clemson

What are the chances? — This game wasn’t going to lack juice. Now that Baker Mayfield did what he did, that’s going to be an even more raucous crowd in Columbus.

Both teams are likely going to start the season in the preseason top 10, and barring a slip-up by Ohio State in Bloomington or a meltdown by Oklahoma vs. UTEP, both teams will be coming off victories. That alone should make this the premiere game of the weekend.

There are, however, some potential roadblocks for GameDay. Last year, FOX got the rights to this game. It was the network’s premiere non-conference showdown. If Fox, which will be in the first year of a massive new rights contract with the B1G, gets it again, those odds decrease. There’s also a chance that GameDay makes plans to see the defending champs take on a quality SEC foe.

Whoever gets the rights to this one will get plenty of pregame buzz (pun intended).

2. Oct. 21 — Michigan vs. Penn State

Biggest competition — Tennessee at Alabama, Oklahoma State vs. Texas, Louisville at Florida State

What are the chances? — For the first time since 2009, GameDay should be coming to Penn State. The Lions could still be undefeated by the time their premiere home game rolls around. If that happens, and Michigan navigates its way through a tricky but not impossible start, the odds will be favorable.

GameDay would have an interesting decision to make if Lamar Jackson continued his 2016 pace and Florida State looked like a top-10 team. It could also be staring at the following week’s matchup between Penn State and Ohio State and decide to hold off on featuring the Lions.

Still, GameDay got a taste of Penn State’s fanbase at the B1G Championship last year. It would get the whole thing if it traveled to State College in 2017.

1. Oct. 28 — Penn State vs. Ohio State

Biggest competition — Georgia vs. Florida, Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia

What are the chances? — I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t I write earlier that GameDay doesn’t feature a matchup with the same teams back to back weeks? Yes, but this matchup might be too good and too big for that unwritten rule.

The B1G’s top two preseason teams will likely face off under the lights in Columbus. A B1G East crown could be on the line. It could also determine who sits in the driver’s seat of a College Football Playoff bid.

Also, remember last year?

Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler were on hand for that one. Rare it was that they made the trip for a showdown with a double-digit pregame spread. But ever since that moment, it’s pretty clear that the playing field is even.

On top of that, the national slate appears softer than any other week on this list.

The odds still don’t favor GameDay seeing a team back-to-back weeks, but if there was ever a time for it, this scenario could be it.