COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Buckeyes are in. After a vote Wednesday by leaders of the members of the Big Ten Conference, Ohio State University will represent the Big Ten East Division in the Big Ten Championship.

According to a press release by the Big Ten Conference, the decision was voted on by the Big Ten Conference Administrators Council and made in collaboration with the Big Ten Presidents and Chancellors and the Big Ten Conference.

The decision to eliminate the six-game minimum requirement to participate in the 2020 Big Ten Football Championship was voted on by the Big Ten Conference Administrators Council, which includes the Directors of Athletics and Senior Women Administrators from all 14 member institutions.

Ohio State failed to meet the original six-game minimum after cancelations involving Maryland, Illinois, and Michigan.

According to the Big Ten, the decision was based on a competitive analysis which determined that Ohio State would have advanced to the Big Ten Football Championship Game based on its undefeated record and head-to-head victory against Indiana regardless of a win or loss against Michigan.

Ohio State Coach Ryan Day said he is grateful for his team's opportunity.

"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," Day said. "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."

 

The No. 3 (AP Poll) Buckeyes will play No. 15 Northwestern on Dec. 19 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.