Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, November 4, 2015
We've reached the final month of the regular season, meaning it's time to start considering the path to Indianapolis, home of the Big Ten title game.
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With only four weeks left, Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State are the only teams that control their destiny.
The Big Ten West, as it stands, is Iowa's to lose. The undefeated Hawkeyes essentially hold a two-game lead over second-place Wisconsin due to their win over the Badgers.
There's a lot less clarity in the Big Ten East, where four teams are in the mix. Undefeated Michigan State and Ohio State lead the way, while Michigan and Penn State each have one Big Ten loss.
Here's a team-by-team look, in alphabetical order, at what needs to happen for the contenders entering Week 10:
BIG TEN EAST
Michigan (6-2, 3-1): Win final four games (vs. Rutgers; at Indiana; at Penn State; vs. Ohio State), plus Michigan State loss, plus finish highest in final CFP rankings.
Michigan State (8-0, 4-0): Win final four games (at Nebraska; vs. Maryland; at Ohio State; vs. Penn State).
Ohio State (8-0, 4-0): Win final four games (vs. Minnesota; at Illinois; vs. Michigan State; at Michigan).
Penn State (7-2, 4-1): Win final three games (at Northwestern; vs. Michigan; at Michigan State), plus two Ohio State losses.
BIG TEN WEST
Iowa (8-0, 4-0): Win at least three of final four games (at Indiana; vs. Minnesota; vs. Purdue; at Nebraska).
Northwestern (6-2, 2-2): Win final four games (vs. Penn State; vs. Purdue; at Wisconsin; at Illinois), plus three Iowa losses.
Wisconsin (7-2, 4-1): Win final three games (at Maryland; vs. Northwestern; at Minnesota), plus two Iowa losses.