The Big Ten championship game will be between Indiana and Ohio State, after both teams won very difficult games Saturday.

Indiana, used to scoring early and often in conference games, ran into a Wisconsin defense that was extremely difficult to bash through. Jake Hidalgo scored two tries in the first half to give his side a 10-0 lead, but Wisconsin bottled up the IU attack nicely and kicked two penalty goals to make it 10-6 at halftime.

The Badgers kept up the pressure and scored a converted try to lead 13-10. But Indiana replied with a try from Connor Marsh, and then, with time frittering away, put the nail in the coffin with one more to win 20-13. It was an exciting, back-and-forth game and one which could have gone either way.

Meanwhile, in another game that could have gone either way, Ohio State held off Michigan 35-31. The game came down to a decision with time almost up. Pressuring in the Michigan 22, Ohio State got a penalty. The players opted (after some discussion) to kick for points, rather than take a scrum and perhaps run out the clock. The kick was good, but it game Michigan enough time to work down to the OSU line.

The Buckeyes held on, barely, holing up Michigan in-goal to end the game.

While Jojo Eramo and Santino Cua continued to play well and score tries, the game was won in the trenches, said Head Coach Tom Rooney. And that was exemplified by forwards Jack Bengel and Jake Berline.

“You get these players who win the ball in the air, don’t miss tackles, and turn ball over - they are the unsung heroes of the team,” said Rooney.

As a result of today’s games, Ohio State takes 2nd in the Big Ten, and Indiana 1st. Those two, who have not met this season, will play for the conference title.

Wisconsin, having tied Ohio State and lost by seven to Indiana, will mark themselves unlucky not to have made that game. Michigan, having lost only to Ohio State and Indiana, might feel the same way.

Final standings (missing two games)