INDIANAPOLIS — The Big Ten can cheat on this expansion all it wants.
The largest conference in FBS history by membership now stretches from Manhattan Beach to the Jersey Shore. Amid all the excitement this week at Big Ten Media Days, there won’t be much to say about the fact that someone this season needs to finish… 18th. This had never happened before either.
The history and tradition of this golden conference lives on, but math teachers are about to sue it for damages. Try explaining to an average algebra class that 10 equals 18 by showing a slide show of conference logos.
The Pac-12 thought the weather in Eugene, Ore., was risky? Let’s see how the Ducks fare after their November road trips to Michigan and Wisconsin. USC finds itself closer to tornado shelters than Universal Studios this week. Welcome to UCLA and its frequent fliers. The Bruins will travel 89 percent of the way around the world in their Big Ten debut, which includes trips to Hawaii and LSU.
But the basics still apply in the Big Ten. It’s actually the conference’s origin story: Ohio State versus Michigan. Sorry, West Coast newbies, but after much thought, THE The story of the Big Ten heading into 2024 is Ohio State trying to beat Michigan for the first time since 2019.
Based on recent events, it’s hard to say which is heavier these days, Ohio State as the favorite to win the expanded Big Ten or the weight of a Go Blue Bummer facing the Buckeyes if they don’t.
Well yes, here we go again.
Even with the exciting additions of Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA, the public airing of grievances between Ohio State and Michigan remains the biggest and best product of this league. The loser of their annual matchup will suffer seemingly endless misery.
In Ohio State’s case, it’s been 1,696 days — and counting — since it beat Michigan. Just under that time since the Buckeyes’ last Big Ten title (2020).
“It’s something that wears me out,” said Ohio State star defensive end Jack Sawyer.
And while first-year Michigan coach Sherrone Moore deserves a honeymoon of sorts after Jim Harbaugh rode off into the NFL sunset with a national championship, Ryan Day has a next-level nightmare waiting for him if he loses to Michigan for a fourth straight time.
“It’s definitely going to be good or bad, man,” cornerback Denzel Burke said during the offseason. “That’s our mentality. No excuses, man. We gotta win everything.”
Burke didn’t change his mind Tuesday. But overall, the statement is less controversial than what it implies: having to go through Michigan to make it.
“I tell people, 54-8, (the criticism) is ridiculous,” former Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told CBS Sports, referring to Day’s record. “I get it. You have to do it. Every coach in our history has had to do it, or you’re doomed.”
It’s clear that Ohio State has given it its all this season. Fall camp begins next week with the Buckeyes having perhaps the best defense in the country. Incredibly, 12 players have decided to forgo a potential NFL career to return to Columbus, Ohio. The school is estimated to have spent $11 million on its transformation, including NIL money and staff upgrades.
“It motivates us every day. I think about it every day,” Sawyer added. “I didn’t win a championship. I didn’t beat the North team. You walk around the football facility and all you see is championship posters and banners.”
Sawyer and his teammates have yet to win a game. The senior from Pickerington, Ohio, is credited with being the leader who brought the dozen players back.
“If we all decided to come back together, we’d come back and beat the North team, win a national championship, win a Big Ten championship.”
Note the order of these achievements.
“You can’t really leave without gold pants,” Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka said.
The tradition dates back to the 1930s and involves awarding a gold pendant to every player who beats Michigan in a given year. It’s a reminder that rivals “put their pants on one leg at a time,” according to former coach Francis Schmidt.
Day’s 2024 transformation included landing six high-profile transfers and making significant personnel changes. Former UCLA coach Chip Kelly received a guaranteed three-year contract to serve as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. That might be more secure than the one he enjoyed as the Bruins’ head coach.
“I trust my life to Chip Kelly” The day said.
And Day’s work?
Too tough? The Ohio State coach won’t get a gold medal for beating Michigan, but he’s wearing a big boy’s pants. As Smith said, Day understands the situation.
Expansion has given rise to some wild possibilities in this rivalry. The teams could meet in a Big Ten Championship rematch or even three times in any season in the future if they both manage to qualify for the College Football Playoff.
With the demise of conference divisions and the expansion of the CFP, it’s even possible that the Buckeyes lose the game to Michigan, still win the league and also qualify for the 12-team playoff.
In that sense, the Michigan game is important, but maybe not as much… at least to the average fan. Try explaining that to an Ohio State fan over the age of 50.
Meanwhile, the pressure continues to weigh on the Buckeyes. The roster is loaded, but it has been most years under Day. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has this monster unit. But this defense was good last year until it gave up a season-high 30 points at Michigan.
The receiver room is loaded again. Day also might have the best running backs group in the country, starting with Ole Miss transfers TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard may not be a C.J. Stroud, but as long as he’s not a Kyle McCord, the Buckeyes can accomplish their goals.
The planets are aligning. Ohio State will likely be favored against Michigan, perhaps by a wide margin, in the next meeting, Nov. 24 in Columbus.
“This rivalry goes back and forth,” Egbuka said.
He’s right. Before Michigan won three in a row, Ohio State won eight. Only the Wolverines from 1901 to 1909 have won more in a row in that series.
“They found a way to bounce back. That’s the same way we’re going to find a way to bounce back,” Egbuka added.
Day got it. His team got it. The college football world got it.
I hope you don’t mind if we all sit back and watch. Harbaugh is gone. The Pac-4 is here. But the Big Ten’s best tradition lives on even if the math still doesn’t add up.