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IU, OSU Clash in big Ten Final

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IU, OSU Clash in big Ten Final

Indiana ran the table in 2014, and will hope to cap another undefeated fall with a playoff win.

Indiana takes on Ohio State in a championship weekend in the BTU Conference that includes final matches for everybody.

IU is undefeated, 6-0 with a points-against average of less than ten points a game. Their offense has been impressive, with try-scorers all over the field, and yet they struggled to score against Wisconsin in last week's semi. They won, sure, but only 20-13.

"We were trying to force things against Wisconsin," said IU's Bryce Campbell. "We needed to be smart with our opportunities. But we've had a great week of practice. Against Wiusconsin we didn't get to the breakdown well or take care of the possession particularly, well, so we worked on that all week."

Ohio State tied that same pesky Wisconsin team, and finished the BTU season 5-0-1. Of course, they didn't play Indiana (the Big Ten Conference is made up of nine teams but teams only play six games). OSU Coach Tom Rooney said OSU and IU match up well.

"We are impressed by their speed," said told Goff Rugby Report. "Their best players are their 8, 12 and 11. Our best are our 8, 12, and 11. Both 11s play right wing - kids won't even wear the correct number!"

Rooney said OSU has to contain Indiana's deep three. "You will pay for poor kicks. It's absolutely about defense and contesting at the breakdown. They haven't lost a game in two years, and I think that says something."

(Indiana was not eligible for the Big Ten playoffs due to an eligibility infraction in the 2013-14 season, so while they were undefeated last year, IU could not win the conference, and Wisconsin did.)

Despite losing a day of training due to rain, the Buckeyes have had a good week on turf and in indoor sessions and working film.

"We lost Tuesday training to rain, but I think the Tuesday film session will be a blessing," said Rooney. "We also get a couple of guys back from injury. I like our chances. I like our plan. I like our kids."

And as usual, it comes down to defense, and the basics.

Added Campbell: "I tink if we take care of the ball effectively, then we should have any problems."

The Big Ten Final will be played in Rockford, Ill. and will be live streamed at www.usarugbytv.com at 4:30pm ET. 

Also slated for Saturday, Wisconsin will play Michigan for 3rd place at 2:30pm. Wisconsin's B-side will play Indiana's B-side for the B-side championship, something the conference takes very seriously (and it's telling that Ohio State's 2014 B-side did very well). Illinois plays Michigan State for 5th and Purdue plays Iowa for 7th. Minnesota plays Michigan's Bs.