If the Big Ten champion finishes in the top four of the College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual does not have to choose the loser of the game between No. 4 Iowa and No. 5 Michigan State.
In addition, Rose Bowl management committee chairman Scott Jenkins said they also aren't required to take the next highest ranked Big Ten team behind the conference champ.
By contract, the Rose Bowl is guaranteed the Pac-12 and Big Ten champions, but if one or both of those teams finish in the College Football Playoff selection committee's top four, The Tournament of Roses will then select a replacement team from that conference.