UPDATE: The Ohio State Buckeyes have decisively clinched their spot in the Big Ten Championship, crushing the Michigan Wolverines 27-9 in a thrilling showdown on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor. This victory marks a significant turnaround, ending a four-game losing streak to their archrivals.
With just over two minutes remaining, an interception by Davidson Igbinosun off Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood sealed the win, sending the Buckeyes to the championship game against the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers on December 2, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers secured their title berth with a staggering 56-3 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers just a night earlier.
Ohio State’s quarterback Julian Sayin showcased an impressive performance, completing 19 of 26 passes for 233 yards and throwing three touchdown passes. Sayin’s pivotal touchdown to wide receiver Brandon Innis extended the lead to 24-9 as snow fell in the stadium, further solidifying the Buckeyes’ dominance.
The Wolverines opened the scoring with field goals from Dominic Zvada, but they failed to find the end zone throughout the game. Despite a promising start, Michigan’s momentum was halted by a series of penalties, including a near-disqualification of linebacker Jaishawn Barham for a headbutt.
This defeat marks a disappointing end to Michigan’s hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoff, as they entered the game needing significant help to avoid a three-loss season. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes will head into the Big Ten Championship as defending national champions, aiming for their first conference title since 2020.
As Ohio State prepares for a rematch against Indiana—who they previously eliminated from title contention—the stakes are high, and both teams are poised for a fierce battle. Coach Ryan Day has solidified his status as one of the nation’s top coaches with this latest win, and the Buckeyes’ heroic run through the season is drawing national attention.
Expect thrilling matchups ahead as the Buckeyes and Hoosiers gear up for what could be the first of two encounters this postseason. Stay tuned for live updates as the championship game approaches.
