COLUMBUS, Ohio – Every year except one from 1935 to 2012, the Ohio State Buckeyes were able to focus entirely on their annual season-ending rivalry with Michigan (Noon/ABC).
But now, for the second year in a row, their most important and emotional regular-season game will be followed by a trip to the Big Ten championship a week later.
The Buckeyes barely dispatched Michigan in their backdoor struggle a year ago, then turned around and had a 24-game winning streak ended the following week when they lost 34-24 to Michigan State in their first appearance in the conference title game.
There’s no doubt the 6th-ranked Buckeyes (10-1, 7-0) are concentrating on the Wolverines (5-6, 3-4) this week. But they also know they have another big game just around the corner.
Their opponents in the conference title game are also ranked in the CFP’s Top 20: Wisconsin (9-1, 6-1) is 14th and Minnesota (8-3, 5-2) is 18th.
The two play Saturday for Paul Bunyan’s Axe and to decide the Big Ten West Division championship. The winner meets Ohio State in Indianapolis Dec. 6.