COLUMBUS, Ohio _ The Game had it all: A pick-six, a flipped-out Jim Harbaugh earning an unsportsmanlike penalty, Jabrill Peppers' first career interception, an Ohio State fake punt from its own 19 and coaches burning through timeouts during an angst-filled second half.
And befitting an old-school, rough-and-tumble Big Ten game played under cool, overcast skies, some spectacular punting.
If that wasn't enough, it also gave fans the first overtime in 113 Michigan-Ohio State meetings.
In the end, the Buckeyes pulled out a 30-27 victory in double-overtime that prompted an ultra-rare field storming at Ohio Stadium. It was so wild, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer reacted by falling face-first onto the turf. He emerged with a smile, having improved to 8-0 in overtime games.
The victory leaves the Buckeyes in limbo. If Penn State beats Michigan State on Saturday afternoon, the Nittany Lions will play Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. If Michigan State pulls the upset, the Buckeyes go to Indianapolis. Either way, Ohio State would seem to be a lock for a College Football Playoff spot.
The key moment of double-overtime came when quarterback J.T. Barrett kept it on a fourth-and-1. He barely got a first down _ and the Big Ten's replay review had the crowd hushed.
On the next play, Curtis Samuel took it in from 15 yards on a stretch play that was beautifully executed.
Wilton Speight got the start for Michigan, proving to be a quick healer after suffering a shoulder/collarbone injury two weeks ago at Iowa. His was a Jekyll and Hyde performance _ 23 of 36 completions against a super defense but also three turnovers, including Malik Hooker's pick-six and a fumble inside the opponent's 2-yard line.
Big Ten football has seen a revival this season, and the league's showcase game lived up to the hype, which included a special five-hour pregame show on ESPN.
But the actual show was even better.
