INDIANAPOLIS — It took Michigan a decade to reach the Big Ten football championship game for the first time.
On Saturday, the second-ranked Wolverines return to Indianapolis with even bigger aspirations.
They can celebrate back-to-back conference titles for the first time in 18 years, break the single-season school record with win No. 13 and — at No. 2 in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings, the last before the four-team field is announced Sunday — clinch a second straight spot in the national semifinals. But for coach Jim Harbaugh’s team, the motivation comes from another place.
“We’re earning all the accolades we’re receiving, and we deserve to be in the discussion for who the best team in the nation is,” said cornerback Mike Sainristil, a converted receiver. “The drive this team has is unmatched, and I think it’s going to help us reach the level we want.”
Ultimately, the Wolverines’ goal is to bring home their first national championship since 1997 and their first undisputed title since 1948.
While Sainristil acknowledges the undefeated Big Ten East Division champs can put themselves in prime playoff position with a win, he also notes the plan could fall apart Saturday if they overlook the Purdue Boilermakers, the West Division champions whose campus is about an hour’s drive from Indianapolis.
Michigan (12-0) has one distinct advantage over Purdue (8-4): experience.
“There’s no feeling like it,” tight end Luke Schoomaker said. “We’ve been through this week before. We know what it takes and what it’s going to take to grind it out and get another win.”
The Wolverines’ next opponent takes pride in living up to the nickname “spoilermakers.” Purdue has beaten three top-three teams in the past four seasons — Ohio State in 2018 and Iowa and Michigan State last season — and will try to use a similar blueprint this time.
Two-time all-conference quarterback Aidan O’Connell leads an explosive offense with another all-conference receiver, Charlie Jones, while an opportunistic defense has generated takeaways.
With coach Jeff Brohm’s aggressive and fun-loving approach, don’t be surprised if the Boilermakers empty the playbook in their first trip to the league title game. They haven’t won a Big Ten crown since Drew Brees’ senior season in 2000.
“It’s something we’ve worked for for some time,” linebacker Kieren Douglas said. “It hasn’t been done before, and we’re really excited for it, and it’s going a to be a great opportunity to show the world what we can do and what we’re made of.”
The Wolverines overcame a similar challenge last year by routing Iowa 42-7. This time, Michigan is playing for more than just a league title.
“I feel like no matter how good we’re doing, whether we’re at the top of the rankings or bottom of the rankings, people think Michigan shouldn’t be there,” Sainristil said. “I definitely think people are starting to notice us, but the only people’s opinion we care about are in here.”
Purdue does have one player with championship game experience: Jones, who transferred from Iowa last summer. All he did this season was post Big Ten highs with 97 receptions and 1,199 yards and tied for the league lead with 12 touchdown receptions.
His advice is simple.
“Try to focus on the game itself,” he said. “There are a lot of different things going on with championship week, there’s a lot of extra things that could distract you. So I’ll tell them stay focused on the game; it’s just another away trip.”