By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer, and staff
COLUMBUS — Big Ten officials voted Wednesday to remove the conference’s six-game minimum requirement for teams to be eligible to play for the league championship.
Removing the minimum clears the way for No. 3 Ohio State (5-0) to play in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 19 against No. 15 Northwestern.
On behalf of Ohio State University, the players, all those associated with the football program and our fans, I am appreciative of our Big Ten Conference colleagues for reconsidering the six-game requirement to qualify for the Big Ten championship game. A lot of changes have happened since that recommendation was put in place. I know making this decision was not easy, and I am thankful for the opportunity our players will now have to play in Indianapolis as an undefeated East Division champion. -statement from OSU head coach Ryan Day
The rule change was made necessary after Michigan cancelled the regular season finale between the Wolverines and Buckeyes because of a high number of COVID-19 cases within the Michigan program.