COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Buckeyes earned a second consecutive trip to the Big Ten Championship Game by beating Indiana Saturday, though a game remains on the regular-season schedule that can’t be overlooked.
That is the annual season-ending grudge match with That Team Up North.
“Regardless of records or anything, the most motivated, most prepared team will win this next game that’s this rivalry,” Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer told reporters after the game. “I know this rivalry. And this is…the most prepared team, most focused team, will win this game.”
The 6th-ranked Buckeyes (10-1, 7-0) host Michigan (5-6, 3-4) at noon Saturday with nothing to lose but pride, self-respect and any remaining vestige of hope of being considered for the final four teams in the College Football Playoff.
A week of pre-Michigan Game activities kicked off on campus Sunday with the 13th Annual Beat Michigan 5K and the Beat Michigan Craft Night where students made Buckeye necklaces and other crafts at the Ohio Union.
Students living off campus are being encouraged to Scarlet The Streets: Show their school spirit and decorate their homes. The winners will be announced at the Beat Michigan Pep Rally, which features athletes, cheerleaders and the marching band, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday in the Ohio Union’s Archie Griffin Grand Ballroom.
Ohio State and Michigan continue their competition, begun in 1982, to take top honors in donating blood. The competition includes 57 blood drives throughout this month. Food drives are being conducted at the two schools to determine the winner of the Battle Against Hunger, a month-long event aimed at creating awareness of issues surrounding food insecurity.
Ohio State secured a berth in the fourth annual Big Ten Football Championship Game and clinched at least a share of their third straight Big Ten East Division title by rallying to beat the Hoosiers, led by Jalin Marshal’s four touchdowns.
Their opponent in the Dec. 6 game at Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis (8:11 p.m./FOX) is still to be determined, but Wisconsin (9-2, 6-1) earned at least a share of the Big Ten West title with a victory at Iowa Saturday today to earn at least a share of the division title. The Badgers host Minnesota (8-3, 5-2) Saturday to determine their division representative.
The 2014 Big Ten Football Championship Game will be played on Saturday, The winner will earn the Amos Alonzo Stagg Championship Trophy and a chance to play in one of the six bowls that comprise the College Football Playoff, including the Rose Bowl.
Tickets can be purchased through university ticket offices, Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000.