The path couldn't be any more clear for the Big Ten champion.
There are also some back roads available for the reigning national champs, but the exact route remains a little murky.
As expected, No. 4 Iowa and No. 5 Michigan State remain in ideal position to qualify for the College Football Playoff ahead of their clash on Saturday in Indianapolis, with the winner virtually assured of a spot in the four-team field by virtue of a Big Ten championship. But it's the team stuck at home watching this week that is generating the most speculation and had the most at stake when the latest rankings were revealed on Tuesday night.