The December 12 matchup between the #4 Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines was officially canceled on Tuesday. If the Big Ten does end up changing the six-game rule and allowing Ohio State to play in the Championship Game, could the biggest rivalry in sports still take place on a later date?
The Big Ten Conference is currently considering changing the six-game rule, which would then allow a 5-0 Ohio State team to represent the East Division in the Championship game against the winners of the West, the Northwestern Wildcats.
If that rule is indeed changed, could the Buckeyes and Wildcats meet this weekend and play for the Big Ten title, and then in-turn have Ohio State and Michigan play the following weekend on December 19?
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel seems to support the idea of potentially playing OSU during the Big Ten’s “Championship weekend”, saying “We will make any adjustments from my standpoint that we need to make. So, if that is a possibility, we’re flexible to make adjustments on our calendar, and if we could play Ohio State the week of the 19th, from my perspective, that would be great.”
The Big Ten’s Championship weekend consists of each team in the conference playing their corresponding opponent from the other division. For instance, the second place east team would play the second place west team, so-on-and-so-on. Moving the Big Ten Championship game to this weekend might not make sense. That would then put Northwestern and Ohio State in a rush to prepare for each other on short notice, with a conference title on-the-line.
As of now, the two likeliest scenarios for Ohio State are:
- Picking up a game this weekend against another Big Ten team who is in need of an opponent.
- Not playing this week, but still being able to play in the Big Ten Championship game, as the six-game minimum rule will be changed.
Let’s visit scenario #1. Indiana is scheduled to play Purdue this weekend. Purdue had to cancel practice today as they are battling COVID-19 issues within their program. Perhaps if the IU-Purdue game does get canceled, the Hoosiers could play Ohio State for a second time.
If the Big Ten doesn’t like the idea of two teams playing each other more than once in the regular season, other games could be moved around to accommodate that. Regardless, the Big Ten’s top priority in terms of scheduling is undoubtedly finding Ohio State an opponent for this weekend.
As for scenario #2: The six-game minimum was a requirement for the Big Ten Championship game, and it never really made a whole lot of sense. Eight games in eight weeks in the middle of a pandemic seemed unlikely from the beginning, as there was absolutely no room for error.
Could not winning the Big Ten prevent the Buckeyes from making the College Football Playoff? That is a question no one will be able to answer until the College Football Playoff Selection Show later this month. The Big Ten’s worst fear would be Ohio State missing the playoff.
The conference will make an extra $6M if OSU gets a playoff bid, so conference leaders, one would hope at least, should be working to make sure Ohio State at the very least can compete for a conference title.
It is terribly disheartening and upsetting that “The Game” had to be canceled. While unlikely, there could still be some ray of light for Ohio State and “That Team Up North” to play each other this season. With or without the game, Ohio State should be confident in their playoff odds, despite playing fewer games than other possible playoff candidates such as Florida, Texas A&M, and Cincinnati.
We will keep you updated with any schedule changes that may come in the next few days.