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Ryan Day wants discussion on moving Michigan - OSU from last game of the year

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•07/26/23•

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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and Ohio State's Ryan Day will square off for the fourth time in Ann Arbor this year. Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan and Ohio State have played the last game of the regular season for decades. OSU head coach Ryan Day said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days he doesn’t expect that to change in the immediate future, but said the possibility of moving it has been brought up and should be discussed further.

Day, speaking to a group of reporters during his breakout session, wants to keep the game on the schedule and is generally pleased with the conference’s new additions and schedule format. The Michigan game, though, should always matter during the regular season and one of his concerns is that it might not should things play out the way they did last year, for example. Both teams were undefeated heading into the game, which Michigan won 45-23 in Columbus.

“I know one of the goals was to try to get as many teams as possible in the playoffs. When you’re looking at that, you want to have certain teams you play on a yearly basis,” Day said. “At the same time, you also want to do the best you can to get as many guys into the playoffs.

“People see it from different points of view. 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.”

There’s no question, though, the game needs to be played, Day continued.

“I just think the tradition is so strong and it’s been going on for so long, I think it’s something that has to happen for Ohio State,” Day said. “We’ve got to play the game every year. Where it is, I think it’s worth a long discussion about where that game should be placed. If it was the same way as it was this past year, we’d be playing back to back games and who knows? Maybe even playing again in the playoffs. I just think that needs to be taken into consideration.

“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.”

He added it’s already in the early stages of consideration.

“Yeah, I know they’re talking about it,” he said. “I just don’t think any hard decisions have been made, and I don’t think they’re going to be made here real soon. I just want to be part of those conversations.”

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