Purdue, Iowa seem best poised to win tangled Big Ten West

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•11/13/22•

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With Purdue, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota all tied atop the Big Ten West standings with 4-3 league marks, let’s try to untangle the scenarios that would take each to Indianapolis for the title game on December 3.

There are scenarios were Wisconsin (3-4 in the Big Ten) could still win the division, but they seem unlikely to unfold. So, here’s a look at the four top contenders to win the Big Ten West. Know this: No one controls their destiny. But Purdue and Iowa seems to be best primed to take the West title.

Next Saturday’s games are big. For Purdue fans, all eyes will be on Iowa at Minnesota. The Boilermakers need the Gophers to win. If that happens, the Boilermakers just need to win-out vs. Northwestern and at Indiana to punch their ticket to the Big Ten title game.

If the Hawkeyes dump the Gophers in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale, they will just need to finish with a win vs. moribund Nebraska and hope Illinois falls at Michigan this week or at Northwestern in the finale.

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Purdue

Games left: Northwestern, at Indiana
Holds tiebreakers vs.: Illinois and Minnesota

Wins title if:

• Win vs. Northwestern and Indiana
• Iowa loses to Minnesota or Nebraska
OR

• Lose to Northwestern or Indiana
• Iowa loses to Minnesota and Nebraska
• Minnesota loses to Wisconsin
• Illinois loses to Michigan or Northwestern

Iowa

Games left: at Minnesota, Nebraska
Holds tiebreakers vs.: Wisconsin, Purdue

Wins title if:

• Win remaining games
• Illinois loses to Michigan or Northwestern

OR
• Win at Minnesota, loss vs. Nebraska:
• Illinois loses both games
• Purdue loses a game

Minnesota

Games left: Iowa, at Wisconsin
Holds tiebreakers vs.: no one

Wins title if:

• Win vs. Iowa and Wisconsin
Illinois loses to Michigan or Northwestern
Purdue loses to Indiana or Northwestern

OR
• Win against Iowa, loss to Wisconsin:
• Wisconsin loses to Nebraska
• Illinois loses to Michigan and Northwestern
• Purdue loses to Northwestern and Indiana

Illinois

Games left: at Michigan, at Northwestern
Holds tiebreakers vs.: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa

Wins title if:

• Win vs. Michigan and Northwestern
• Purdue loses to either Northwestern or Indiana

OR
• Loss to Michigan or Northwestern
• Purdue loses to Northwestern and Indiana
• Iowa loses to Minnesota or Nebraska

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