COLUMBUS — Not much changed for the Buckeyes, as far as the major college football polls are concerned, following their victory over arch-rival Michigan Saturday.
Big Ten Championship Game presented by Discover
No. 9 (CFP) Ohio St. (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 5 Wisconsin (12-0, 9-0)
Sat. Dec. 2, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (8:00 p.m./FOX)
Ohio State remained No. 8 in the AP Top 25 media poll and tied for seventh in the coaches’ poll heading into the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin Saturday in Indianapolis with hopes of making the College Football Playoff. Despite having two losses the Buckeyes would make a strong case to be included in the final four if they win.
Clemson is the new leader in the polls, followed by Oklahoma, the unbeaten Badgers and Auburn.
Dwayne Haskins replaced injured star J.T. Barrett in the third quarter and led OSU from behind to beat Michigan 31-20 for the Buckeyes’ sixth straight victory in the storied rivalry.
Barrett said someone, possibly a photographer, made contact with him on the sideline before kickoff, aggravating an injured right knee he has played with this season. He grabbed his knee on a run midway through the third quarter.
Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer says there are too many people on the sideline, adding he was very angry and wanted a full investigation.
Barrett said he will be good to go next week, though the last time he was hurt against Michigan and Ohio State’s backup quarterback had to play Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, the world was introduced to Cardale Jones, which worked out OK for the Buckeyes.
Defensive end Sam Hubbard was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week, recording a career-high 2.5 sacks among his five tackles — four solo — while also forcing a fumble.