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ESPN updated ‘Playoff Predictor’ after Week 1

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

The B1G isn’t in the playoff picture.

Following a smorgasbord of college football action this past weekend, ESPN’s “Playoff Predictor” has updated, providing us with a post-Week 1 look at the teams currently in the driver’s seat. Fortunately for the B1G, there’s still an entire season to be played.

No B1G team was listed in the top four spots, according to ESPN. Instead, the SEC, ACC, Big XII and an independent occupied were given the most likely chances to reach the College Football Playoff. Here’s who sat in the top spots:

  • Alabama: 64% chance to make CFP
  • Notre Dame: 57% chance to make CFP
  • Clemson: 56% chance to make CFP
  • Oklahoma: 45% chance to make CFP

Quite a drop-off from Clemson to Oklahoma, eh?

So, what’s the likelihood the B1G does have a team claim one of the four bids at the end of the year? Fortunately, ESPN’s predictions expanded past the four teams and listed the odds for six teams from the conference.

Here are the odds for those six:

  • Ohio State: 44% chance to make CFP
  • Wisconsin: 10% chance to make CFP
  • Penn State: 8% chance to make CFP
  • Michigan State: 7% chance to make CFP
  • Michigan: 5% chance to make CFP
  • Iowa: <1% chance to make CFP

the drop from Ohio State to Wisconsin is significant. So, right now, the Buckeyes are essentially the B1G’s only shot to reach the CFP.

Like we said, fortunately every team still has 11 games remaining to make its case.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB