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Michigan loses, Ohio State is screwed, and Penn State has a shot

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

It's just like old times: Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State fighting for Big Ten supremacy.

That's really how it's supposed to be, right? After all, that's how it was for so many years before Penn State was hit by the Joe Paterno/Jerry Sandusky scandal and Michigan fell into a stretch of mediocrity while Ohio State was left to toil with Michigan State for division titles for a few years.

The good times returned Saturday, though, as a jaw-dropping day saw Michigan suffer its first loss, which totally screwed the Buckeyes and gave Penn State a shot in the Big Ten race:

Ohio State

We'll start with Ohio State, which crushed Maryland on Saturday, yet finished the day as the biggest loser.

The Buckeyes own a 9-1 record, but the lone blemish is an important loss to Penn State. The Buckeyes play Michigan in two weeks, and a second loss will hand the division to the Wolverines, while a win could give the division to Penn State, thanks to the tiebreaker.

In other words, Ohio State now has no clear path to the Big Ten championship, and needs to both win out and see Penn State lose a game.

Michigan

The Wolverines are also 9-1, and can still take the division by winning their last two games, which would include a victory over Ohio State.

They still control their own destiny, but have the toughest schedule from now until the end of the regular season.

Penn State

The Nittany Lions need help, but now have a decent shot at ultimately emerging from the Big Ten East.

The CFP committee has already shown its affinity for Penn State, and James Franklin's squad can reach the conference title game by winning out and watching Ohio State hand Michigan another loss in the regular-season finale.

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