Ohio State's Ryan Day On Major Change To Michigan Rivalry: 'It's Worth A Conversation'

Speaking to the media on the first day of Big Ten Media Days, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day suggested making a major change to college football's biggest rivalry.

If you're a traditionalist, you're probably not going to like what Ohio State head coach Ryan Day suggested during the first day of Big Ten Media Days. Meeting with the media on Wednesday, Day discussed how the rivalry with Michigan might be impacted by the elimination of divisions and an expanded college football playoff. 

With no divisions and a 12-team playoff in 2024, the likelihood of Michigan playing Ohio State in back-to-back weeks is a strong possibility. In fact, the Wolverines could end up facing the Buckeyes up to three times in a matter of several weeks if both programs end up competing for the conference championship and qualify for the College Football Playoff. 

According to Day, it's worth having a discussion about moving college football's biggest rivalry away from the final week of the season. 

“People see it from different points of view," Day said. "I’m glad we still have the rivalry game. I do think we should consider when we play it, just because you may end up playing it back to back weeks...which would be awkward. I know we need to consider the tradition, but I think it’s worth a conversation on when. I think that’s significant just on how the season plays out. Other than that, I think they did the best they could with it. The good news is they didn’t build a schedule that is locked in or a long period of time. I think they can do this for a couple years, reevaluate, and then have the flexibility to change it up, if needed.

“I think we shouldn’t move it, but I think it’s worth talking about. The game could not have an impact on a whole bunch in terms of if both teams are in the Big Ten championship game already, then could it minimize the game? That’s my concern. Even if you played it Week 11, Week 10, no matter what it’s going to 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.”

The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State dates back to 1897, and the Wolverines and Buckeyes have played in the final week of the regular season since 1935. There's no doubt that most traditionalists won't like the idea of moving the game to a different part of the regular season, but the significant changes coming to the Big Ten conference and the College Football Playoff certainly warrant the discussion.