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Ohio State Football: Not having PSU as a rival is a joke

By Frank Teriaca

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 29: Fans tailgate outside the stadium before the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 29: Fans tailgate outside the stadium before the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State football team will not play Penn State in 2025. Removing this rivalry is bad for the Big Ten and both schools.

The Ohio State football schedule has been released for 2024 and 2025. One big noticeable difference is the removal of Penn State in 2025. Teams have protected rivalries now in the Big Ten where its mandatory that the schools play, meaning Ohio State only has Michigan as a protected rival.

This is bad for the Big Ten in so many ways. First, this means that Penn State has no protected rivals. The Nittany Lions are new to the Big Ten relative to other programs. Joining the conference in 1993 means there are no true long-standing rivalries for Penn State. But Penn State has in no doubt elevated itself to a top-three program in the league. And often times the Penn State vs. Ohio State football game determines the outcome of the Big Ten East.

Aside from the game vs. TTUN, The Penn State/ Ohio State game is often the best game the Big Ten has in a given season. Removing that game is also awful for the TV schedule. Many times, the game with Penn State is the second most viewed game in the conference.

Lastly, what about the fans? Don’t we deserve to watch more than three competitive games per season? Heck let’s face it; the Buckeyes dominate Penn State in wins vs. losses but this game is often the most competitive that Ohio State has on its schedule. UCLA won’t give Ohio State the same kind of game. Yes, the Buckeyes will have to play USC, but sacrificing the game vs. Penn State isn’t the way to get that game scheduled.

Next. 3 coaches more annoying than Dabo Swinney. dark

Maybe this is what Penn State wanted, removing having to play Ohio State and Michigan every season might help the Nittany Lions make a Big Ten title game. But in this world of expanded playoffs coming up, does that matter much anymore? I for one believe that this is a joke, and it’s a travesty that the fans have to suffer watching more games against inferior opponents because of it.

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