What’s at Stake for the College Football Playoff in the Big Ten Championship Game?

What’s at Stake for the College Football Playoff in the Big Ten Championship Game?

What’s at Stake for the College Football Playoff in the Big Ten Championship Game? The Big Ten Championship Game on December 7, 2024, pits the undefeated No. 1 Oregon Ducks against the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions. While both teams are essentially locked into the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP), the stakes remain high as they battle for seeding and a critical first-round bye. Here's a breakdown of what’s on the line in this pivotal matchup. Seeding and First-Round Bye Under the new CFP structure, the top four highest-ranked conference champions earn a first-round bye. This advantage allows those teams to skip the initial playoff round, giving them extra rest and preparation time. The Big Ten champion will almost certainly secure one of these coveted top four spots. Oregon, with a perfect 12-0 record, seeks to cement its place as the No. 1 overall seed, while Penn State (11-1) aims to stake its claim as a top contender by capturing the conference title. A loss would …