COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State football team goes into its annual grudge match with Michigan needing help to reach the BCS National Championship Game.
The Buckeyes are ranked third in the BCS standings, well behind Alabama and Florida State, who have rivalry games of their own, against Auburn and Florida.
Ohio State extended its school-record winning streak to 23 games by beating Indiana 42-14 on Saturday and qualified for the Big Ten Championship Game against Michigan State at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis on Dec. 7.
Tickets will be sold through university ticket offices, through Ticketmaster or by calling (800) 745-3000.
The Buckeyes didn’t spend a whole lot of time enjoying their accomplishments. They were already talking the Michigan game within minutes of the final whistle Saturday night.
“I’m expecting That Team Up North to bring their A game, and we are certainly going to bring ours. It is going to be an exciting game, my last against them. I’m looking forward to it,” senior running back Carlos Hyde said. Hyde’s 117 rushing yards against the Hoosiers put him over 1,000 for the season.
From a distance, it might look like a trap game: The Buckeyes have little to play for beyond holding on to what they’ve already got — an unbeaten season. But, quarterback Braxton Miller says the players plan to keep their “foot on the pedal.”
“We ended the season 12-0 last year. We weren’t able to go to a Bowl game, Big Ten championship. And that’s what we’re striving for, accomplish that, and keep going forward,” he said.
The Wolverines (7-4, 3-4) have lost four of their last six games and have had major problems running the ball and scoring points.
Game time is noon on ABC-6.