INDIANAPOLIS — It’s just a conversation that needs to be had, Ohio State’s head coach, who hails originally from New Hampshire, said. Tradition is one thing, but in college football, it’s really not everything.
Bo and Woody are turning over in their graves.
It’s Big Ten media days, and usually coaches are looking to make as few waves as possible, saying as little as possible beyond what’s obligated. So, you can credit Ohio State head coach Ryan Day who opted for a different route. Only four times since 1935 has the regular season not ended with a matchup between Michigan football and Ohio State, and one of those was one where The Game wasn’t even played (2020 due to COVID). But the fifth-year head coach of the Buckeyes is personally tinkering with the idea that it could be played a different week.
“I do think we should consider when we play it, just because you may end up playing them back-to-back weeks, which would be awkward,” Day said. “I know that we need to consider the tradition. But I think it’s worth a conversation because I think that’s significant just on how the season plays out.”
He continued:
“Where it is, I think, yeah — I think it’s worth a long discussion about where that game should be, should be placed. I think if it was the same way, as it was this past year, we’ve been playing back-to-back games, and then who knows? Maybe even playing again in the playoffs? So I just think that needs to be taken in consideration, not that we shouldn’t move it, but I think it’s worth talking about.”
Of course, there is a possibility with the new scheduling that’s set to shift the Big Ten with USC and UCLA’s arrival in 2024 that the rivals could play two straight weeks. Now that the Big Ten will be divisionless, the two-best teams in the conference will meet in Indianapolis, rather than division winners.
With that in mind, Day thinks that moving The Game to something like Week 10 could make for just as meaningful of a matchup.
“If both teams are in the Big Ten Championship already, could it minimize The Game? That’s my concern,” Day said. “Even if you played it Week 11, Week 10, no matter what, it’s gonna matter. But if you know you’re playing them in the Big Ten Championship game already, it could be something we haven’t experienced before, that’s all. Again, I think it’s worth the discussion.”
While Day says conversations have been had and he’s more focused on the current season, he insists he’s just joining in on the debate, as he feels he should have some say.
“I know they’re talking about it, I just don’t think any hard decisions have been made, and I don’t think they’re gonna be made here real soon. I just want to be part of those conversations.”
Could the rivals playing back-to-back weeks cheapen The Game? Possibly. But would it tarnish a longstanding tradition to move it from Week 13 to another? Absolutely.
So, no — it’s not a conversation worth having. It’s just the price of playing in modern day college football.
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