Let's say three teams tie for the Big Ten title with 7-1 records. Team A's only loss came to Team B, which also has a nonconference loss. Team C beat Team B and didn't play Team A, but lost to another conference team.

The result: Minnesota going to the Rose Bowl to play Southern California.

Under the scenario listed above, which is not that far fetched. Minnesota's only loss so far came at Ohio State. If the Gophers win out and the Buckeyes lose to Penn State, but the Nittany Lions are then upset by Iowa or Indiana, Minnesota would be the big winner.

According to the Big Ten tiebreaker, Ohio State would drop out because it had the worst overall record with two losses. Since Minnesota and Penn State did not meet, and no other tiebreaker applies, the conference's Bowl Championship Series representative would be determined by which team had last won the conference's automatic BCS berth. Penn State represented the conference in 2005.

And that's how the Golden Gophers can get to go to the Golden State.

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'60s flashback

Once upon a time, Michigan State was the dominant college football program in Michigan.

In 1965-66, the Spartans were 19-1-1 overall - including a famous tie with Notre Dame - and 14-0 in the Big Ten, including wins over Michigan by a combined score of 44-14.

Since then, Michigan State hasn't beaten the Wolverines twice in a row.

The Spartans have gone to the Rose Bowl (in 1987) and had eight wins in consecutive seasons (1989-90) only once since their glory years. Nick Saban is regarded as one of the game's great coaches, but he was barely over .500 in his first four seasons before bolting for LSU after winning nine games in 1999.

Times have changed.

Rich Rodriguez's debut on the sideline at Michigan (2-5, 1-2) has been so rough that college football's winningest program is headed for its first losing season since 1967.

Mark Dantonio is 13-8 in two seasons at Michigan State (6-2, 3-1), quickly turning around a program that was coming off three straight losing years.

Dantonio seems to be getting commitments from some of the best players in the state - recruits Michigan used to attract.

Some are saying the Spartans have a window of opportunity to catch up with the storied program in the state. But that opportunity won't mean much to the Spartans unless they're able to capitalize with on-the-field victories. They meet on Saturday at The Big House.

"They've found a way to win,'' Dantonio said of the Wolverines. "So we'll have to find a way to win.''

Said QB Brian Hoyer: "They have had the upperhand recently. They've been the guys that have been on top.''

Oddsmakers expect that to change. According to World Features Syndicate, the Spartans are favored to win at Michigan Stadium for the first time since 1968.

The Wolverines were installed as the biggest underdogs in school history last week, with Penn State favored by more than three touchdowns. Michigan still didn't cover the spread, collapsing after a strong start and losing 46-17.

Still, Michigan isn't ready to concede its grip on the state to its neighbors 50 miles to the northwest.

"I don't buy it because they haven't beat us yet,'' Michigan linebacker John Thompson said. "There's nothing much they can say about closing the gap yet, but I guess we'll find out Saturday.''

Wolverines safety Brandon Harrison added, "Just look at the records and the numbers, then come talk to me.''

Gophers getting good

Minnesota didn't play last week, but the body of work - and several losses by teams at the end of the national rankings - was enough to get the Gophers in the AP Top 25 for the first time since Oct. 9, 2005.

Coach Tim Brewster discarded the notion of his team being overconfident.

"I think anybody who's spent any time at all with our players, with our coaching staff, understands that there's nobody that's going to have a big head,'' Brewster said.

Coaches canvassing the country on recruiting trips have sensed an increase in good vibes toward the Gophers, especially close to home.

"'Hey, you know what? If I want to win a championship, if I want to do great things, I don't have to leave the state of Minnesota,''' Brewster said some in-state recruits are saying. "And that's extremely positive for all of us.''

Defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg is one of many players enjoying the turnaround.

"It's exciting, obviously. You get a little bit of respect,'' he said. "But we were 1-11 last year, and we can't forget that.''

Goofing on Pat

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has a mantra: His team starts each week with a 0-0 record and is just trying to go 1-0.

After the Wildcats landed at No. 22 in the first BCS rankings, wide receiver Eric Peterman kidded his coach: "I don't know if you heard or not, but we're the first 0-0 team to make the BCS standings. So we're proud of that.''

By committee

Jason Ford's 172 yards rushing and three touchdowns against Indiana was by far the best game any Illinois back has had this season. But coach Ron Zook says he doesn't plan to make Ford, or anyone else, his go-to back.

Illinois regularly uses four running backs - Daniel Dufrene, Ford, Troy Pollard and Mikel LeShoure.

"I don't know why anything has to change,'' Zook said. "If another guy gets hot, we'll leave him in there.''

Quick-hitters

Saturday's other games: Illinois at Wisconsin, No. 24 Minnesota at Purdue, No. 22 Northwestern at Indiana, and No. 3 Penn State at No. 10 Ohio State. … Players of the week: Iowa RB Shonn Greene (217 yards, 25 carries, 4 TDs), Iowa LB Pat Angerer (6 tackles, 2 ints.) and Penn State K Kevin Kelly (3 FGs, 5 PATs, became Big Ten's all-time kick scorer with 376). … Arrelious Benn has an Illinois record four consecutive 100-yard receiving games. … Each Big Ten winner last week scored at least 38 points. … Wisconsin was No. 9 in the nation on Sept. 27 but after losing four in a row is tied for last in the conference.

AP Sports Writers Larry Lage and Dave Campbell, and Associated Press Writers Tim Martin, Joe Esse and David Mercer contributed to this report.