Scarlet Sunrise: Ryan Day, Jim Harbaugh differ on future scheduling of The Game

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Ryan Day, Jim Harbaugh differ on future scheduling of The Game

There was a very real possibility of Ohio State playing Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. Thanks to USC falling to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship, the Buckeyes backed their way into the CFP field despite losing by double-digits to the Wolverines for the second year in a row. What’s more, because TCU also dropped its conference title game, Ohio State had a chance at the No. 3 seed.

When all was said and done, however, Ohio State got the No. 4 seed and headed to the Peach Bowl. On the other side of the bracket was No. 2 seed Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl.

Had Ohio State and Michigan matched up in the CFP semifinals, they’d play back-to-back games against each other. That phenomenon could be on the table in 2024 when the Big Ten shifts to being a division-less league, and the conference championship will feature the league’s top-two teams, not the Big Ten East and West division winners.

Actually, starting next year, there’s even a small chance the Buckeyes could played the Wolverines three straight games: in the regular season finale, in the Big Ten Championship and in the CFP semifinals.

At Big Ten Media Days, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talked about the changes coming to the sport next year. As mentioned above, the Big Ten is getting rid of divisions. USC and UCLA are joining the league. Plus, the CFP is expanding to 12 teams.

“I’m glad we still have the rivalry game,” Day said. “I do think we should consider when we play it, just because you may end up playing them back-to-back weeks, which would be awkward. I know that we need to consider the tradition, but I think it’s worth a conversation on when because I think that’s significant just on how the season plays out.”

Day continued: “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 gonna 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. So, again, I think it’s worth a discussion.”

Day knew he was getting ahead of himself a bit in talking about the potential back-to-back matchups between Ohio State and Michigan in 2024 and beyond. But it was clear he has an opinion on the subject.

Harbaugh, meanwhile, wasn’t as interested in discussing the scheduling of The Game.

“We’ll play that whenever it’s scheduled to be played,” Harbaugh said. “We know we’re gonna play it every season at least once. But I don’t have a particular opinion of when it should be played. Right now, I think it’s been played that last game of the season. I think everybody’s used to that. That’s part of the Thanksgiving tradition now. So that’s when we’ll expect it.”

Day clarified that he’s simply calling for more attention to the post-2023 scheduling dynamic.

“I think it’s worth a long discussion about where that game should be placed,” he said. I think if it was the same way as it was this past year, we’d been playing back-to-back games, and then, who knows, maybe even playing again in the playoffs. So I just think that needs to be taken into consideration — not that we should move it, but I think it’s worth talking about.”

Michigan has topped Ohio State back-to-back years for the first time since 1999-2000 after the Buckeyes won 17-of-19 meetings in the early decades of the 21st century. Winners of the last two Big Ten titles, the Wolverines lead the all-time series with Ohio State, 60-51-6.

With ‘huge upside,’ Luke Montgomery in the mix for starting tackle spot

Ohio State is replacing a pair of first-team All-American offensive tackles this season. And neither of those vacancies have been filled yet.

Add true freshman Luke Montgomery to the mix.

Montgomery — the No. 2 Ohio prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking — has been turning heads, especially, this summer.

“He’s in the competition right now,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days. “I told him the other day: ‘I know you’re a true freshman, but you came here to play.’ So that should be your mentality. …”

Get the full story here.

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Since, the Buckeyes have rallied to support Tate, a splash early-enrollee wideout that wowed in the spring season.

Ohio State star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and head coach Ryan Day spoke about Tate’s resilience during Big Ten Media Days.

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Rivalry in spotlight as B1G Media Days end with Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

Lettermen Row was back in Indianapolis for the second day of Big Ten Media Days Thursday. While Ohio State wasn’t speaking, Michigan was.

That, of course, included Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook, Andy Backstrom and Tim May broke down what they heard from the other side of the rivalry. They also discussed the new regimes at Nebraska and Wisconsin, notably how Buckeyes alum and former longtime Ohio State assistant Luke Fickell is back in the Big Ten.

You can watch that conversation below or on the Lettermen Row Youtube channel. Make sure to subscribe to that channel for more Buckeyes breakdown videos.

More Lettermen Row coverage from Big Ten Media Days

READ: Quick-hitters from Ryan Day Big Ten Media Days press conference

WATCH: Ryan Day press conference at Big Ten Media Days

READ: Gene Smith, Buckeyes more motivated than ever to beat Michigan

READ: Marvin Harrison Jr. envisioning return trip to Indy for B1G title game

READ: With potential unlocked, J.T. Tuimoloau shooting for more consistency

READ: Buckeyes still mulling over play-calling responsibilities for 2023

READ: Hungry, driven Cade Stover embracing ‘never-ending process’

READ: Luke Fickell used Ohio State run to become his own coach

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 36 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 121 days

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