PARK RIDGE, Ill. — Love The Game? Well, Michigan and Ohio State could be playing twice in a season.

Two people familiar with the Big Ten's decision said Wednesday that the league has decided to put Ohio State and Michigan into separate divisions, starting next season when it grows to 12 teams.

One person also says Michigan and Ohio State will continue to play each other each year in the regular-season finale, as they have since 1943, meaning they could wind up meeting again for the conference championship.

According to the two people, one six-team division will include Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota and Northwestern, while the other will have Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue and Indiana.

They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten had not yet disclosed its decision. An announcement was expected Wednesday evening. The breakdown was first reported by ESPN.com.

Nebraska will join the Big Ten as its 12th team next year, allowing the conference to split into two divisions and add a lucrative championship game.