Breaking the tie in the Big Ten

I told everyone during the chat today I would list the division tiebreakers here so there isn’t any confusion. Again, remember, the standings are based on conference record, not division records. Division records, as you will see below, are used in the tiebreaker.

(a) If two teams are tied, the winner of the game between the two tied teams shall be the representative

(b) If three or more teams are tied, steps 1 through 7 will be followed until a determination is made. If only two teams remain tied after any step, the winner of the game between the two tied teams shall be the representative.

1. The records of the three tied teams will be compared against each other

2. The records of the three tied teams will be compared within their division

3. The records of the three teams will be compared against the next highest placed teams in their division in order of finish (4, 5, and 6)

4. The records of the three teams will be compared against all common conference opponents;

5. The highest ranked team in the first Bowl Championship Series Poll following the completion of Big Ten regular season conference play shall be the representative in the Big Ten Championship Game, unless the two highest ranked tied teams are ranked within one spot of each other in the BCS poll. In this case, the head-to-head results of the top two ranked tied teams shall determine the representative in the Big Ten Championship

6. The team with the best overall winning percentage [excluding exempted games] shall be the representative

7. The representative will be chosen by random draw.