Ohio State Football: The state of Ohio State-Michigan this fall

The Ohio State football team awaits the revised version of its schedule. We anticipate it looking differently with more bye weeks, but where will The Game land?

This is an article I never thought I would be writing as the Big Ten overhauls its 2020 football schedule. One would think The Game between the Ohio State football team and Michigan Wolverines is untouchable due to its rich tradition and history, however, amidst a pandemic, it appears all matchups are fair game.

Ohio State vs. Michigan is more than just a game on a Saturday during the fall. The Game takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year which creates the holiday type feel to add another layer to the monumental hype.

The Buckeyes and Wolverines meeting is a tradition unlike any other in college football and the thought of it potentially being moving is wild. The rivalry is rich in emotion and filled with a unique respectful hatred.

One of the aspects that makes it even more special is how it’s played at the same time each year. However, it appears 2020 could be different.

Playing The Game in September is a possibility. Imagine opening the season against That Team Up North. How would that be for drama? We’re already eager for sports and filled with anticipation, but that would bring it to astronomical levels.

The traditionalist in me says The Game should be untouchable and played on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but playing Michigan early doesn’t seem like a bad thing for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have far fewer questions than the Wolverines who will be starting a new QB. Ohio State will have one of the best offensive lines in the country protecting Heisman candidate Justin Fields. The earlier Ohio State plays Michigan the better it is for the Buckeyes this year, all things considered with the way the offseason has gone.

If it’s played in September, I would imagine “tune-up” games would precede the greatest rivalry in sports. The end of September — weeks 3 or 4 — would seem like a viable option so both teams can shake off any rust before colliding in The Shoe.

Playing The Game early would all but ensure it gets played if for some reason the season would need to be paused or canceled. If it were up to me and I would absolutely have to move The Game, I would either slate it for Week 1, or the beginning of October and slide up Penn State to one of the first two weeks of the season to serve as an evaluator.

Michigan would probably like as many games between its first and Ohio State as possible, but getting their wish seems unlikely this year. I imagine Ohio State and Michigan will play in the first half of the season for two reasons.

The first being an all but guarantee we see the greatest rivalry in sports in 2020. Secondly, it’s always one of the highest-rated games of the year which will also maximize revenue.

It’s going to be interesting to find out when Ohio State and Michigan will meet this fall as it will highlight the revised schedule.