The conference championship games in the sport’s two preeminent leagues have taken a lot of flak since the advent of the 12-team College Football Playoff last season.

Many have wondered if there’s any purpose left to the Big Ten and SEC Championship Games, and if it even really benefits the best teams to play in them.

Those remain valid concerns long-term, but there’s far more on the line in this year’s championship week than last year’s — especially in the Big Ten.

No one can throw the “pointless” tag on a showdown between the only two undefeated teams in the nation, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana, taking place at 5 p.m. Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The winner will earn the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, a more advantageous spot after rule chan

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