Michigan football to play Purdue for Big Ten championship

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michigan will try to defend its Big Ten title against a team it hasn’t faced in five years.

The Wolverines, champions of the East Division, will face Purdue, the West winner in next Saturday’s title game in Indianapolis (Dec. 3).

Purdue entered the day needing a road win over Indiana to clinch the division. The Boilermakers delivered, dominating the second half for a 30-16 victory over their in-state rival. They will head to Indianapolis with a 8-4 overall record, 6-3 in the Big Ten.

“It’s going to be a tough matchup. Michigan’s a great team. They’re undefeated for a reason,” Jeff Brohm told Big Ten Network on the field after the game. “To go into Columbus and win that game, that’s unbelievable. Of course we’ll have our hands full.”

Michigan is 12-0 (9-0) after Saturday’s 45-23 win at Ohio State.

Michigan and Purdue last played on Sep. 23, 2017, a Michigan victory in West Lafayette. Michigan has won four straight in the series, last losing in 2009.

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On Saturday, Purdue’s sixth-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell was 18-of-29 for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Purdue trailed 7-3 at halftime before scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter to take control. Indiana scored a touchdown on the game’s final play.

The Boilermakers lost to Penn State 35-31 to open the season before winning their next three Big Ten games (at Minnesota, at Maryland, Nebraska). They lost the next two (at Wisconsin, Iowa) but finished on a three-game win streak, winning at Illinois, beating Northwestern, and handling Indiana.

This will be Purdue’s first appearance in the Big Ten title game, contested since 2011. Since the East-West divisional realignment in 2014, the East has won all eight championships, often by lopsided margins. Michigan beat Iowa 42-3 last season to reach the College Football Playoff. Michigan would clinch a return trip with a win over Purdue, and might get an invite regardless.

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