Brett Ludwiczak
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You’re Nuts: Is Oregon or Michigan the more important game for Ohio State in 2024?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Ohio State football’s 2024 schedule really has just two games people are looking forward to. The October 12th clash in Eugene against Oregon, and The Game against Michigan, which will take place on November 30th in Columbus. No disrespect to Iowa, Penn State, and the rest of the opponents for the Buckeyes this regular season, but the games against the Ducks and Wolverines are the ones Buckeye Nation have had circled on their calendars since Ohio State’s schedule was released.
With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, a loss to either Oregon or Michigan doesn’t necessarily mean the Buckeyes won’t be a part of the playoff since the expanded field does provide a little more room for error. Even though Ohio State can afford to take a loss to Oregon or Michigan, obviously you want to see the Buckeyes win both games. Wins against both the Ducks and Wolverines would not only give Ohio State a leg up in the race to play in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title in early December, it also would help the Buckeyes earn the best possible seed when the playoff field is announced.
Since we are asking “This or That?” this week at LGHL, today we are giving you a topic with just two possible choices. Which is the more important game for Ohio State football this year, Oregon or Michigan? Since these are the marquee road and home games for the Buckeyes this year, we are solely focusing on them.
Welcome to the Big Ten, Oregon!
While this won’t be the first conference game for the Ducks since they play Michigan State the week prior to the showdown with the Buckeyes, it certainly is the biggest conference game for Oregon in 2024. Following a season in which they nearly won the Pac-12 and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff, Dan Lanning has the Ducks primed to be a favorite to make the 12-team playoff.
Even though Oregon lost quarterback Bo Nix to the NFL, they are bringing in Oklahoma transfer quarterback Dillion Gabriel to lead their high-powered offense. Seeing Caleb Downs and the Ohio State defense matchup against Gabriel and the Ducks will be fun to watch.
The next reason I think the Oregon game is the more important game for Ohio State this year is more of a selfish reason. Since I have family in southern Oregon and friends in Portland, I’m planning on heading out there the week of the game.
Originally the plan was to go to the game but since it is looking like it’ll be at least $2500 for four tickets, we might get priced out of going. Even if it isn’t in the cards to go to Autzen, it’ll still be fun to be out there in October. There is talk of a possible trip to a casino/sportsbook in Coos Bay the weekend of the game if we don’t end up in Eugene, so I certainly wouldn’t mind gambling on the coast.
Another reason I’m more interested in the Oregon game over the Michigan game is with all the changes in Ann Arbor following their national title, this year’s game doesn’t feel like as much of a toss-up as we have seen the last few years. Don’t get me wrong, I love the rivalry and will be locked in at the end of November when the Buckeyes and Wolverines square off in Columbus.
I just don’t think The Game is nearly as important this year since Michigan could be heading into this year’s game with a couple losses on their schedule already, while Ohio State and Oregon is likely to be a showdown between two teams ranked in the top-five.
If I’m going to get gifted the chance to say that The Game is the most important matchup on Ohio State’s schedule, I am going to take it. While I do think the outcome of the Oregon game will likely be more impactful in the long run in terms of a Big Ten Championship appearance and College Football Playoff seeding, there is still nothing that can reach of pinnacle of Buckeyes vs. Wolverines.
Outside of the obvious rivalry aspect, the first — and perhaps biggest — reason why the Michigan game is bigger for Ohio State this reason is for Ryan Day’s sake. The Buckeyes’ head coach is 56-8 overall, which pretty much any program in the country would sign up for immediately. However, three of those losses are to Michigan in the past three years, which prior to CFP expansion and ditching divisions in the B1G, costed Ohio State not only a conference title, but a playoff bid as well.
Even outside of all the external factors that come with losing to TTUN, you simply cannot lose to Michigan four years in a row: full stop. Unless he was to go on to win a national championship in 2024, a loss to the Wolverines — who are now led by a new head coach and without many of last year’s big contributors — for the fourth-straight time would likely spell the end of Day’s tenure in Columbus. The Game is too important and Ohio State is too loaded on paper this season for that to occur without serious consequences.
In addition, the timing is a big factor in why Michigan is the bigger matchup for Ohio State this year. If the Buckeyes were to lose to Oregon, there would still be six games to follow to correct any mistakes and build back up for a College Football Playoff run. On the flip side, Ohio State losing to Michigan in the final game of the regular season would be an awful way to enter the postseason, and could potentially put the Buckeyes on the bubble depending how the rest of the B1G shakes out.
All else equal, it would be tough for Ohio State’s biggest matchup of the season to not be Michigan in any given campaign. Even if the Buckeyes were 11-0 and the Wolverines were 0-11 heading into The Game, it would feel like a bit of a failed season without an OSU victory. That being said, with the trajectories of the two programs this offseason and what has happened over the past three years, this year’s matchup against Michigan will be of the highest importance for everyone involved in scarlet and gray.
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Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Ohio State football’s 2024 schedule really has just two games people are looking forward to. The October 12th clash in Eugene against Oregon, and The Game against Michigan, which will take place on November 30th in Columbus. No disrespect to Iowa, Penn State, and the rest of the opponents for the Buckeyes this regular season, but the games against the Ducks and Wolverines are the ones Buckeye Nation have had circled on their calendars since Ohio State’s schedule was released.
With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, a loss to either Oregon or Michigan doesn’t necessarily mean the Buckeyes won’t be a part of the playoff since the expanded field does provide a little more room for error. Even though Ohio State can afford to take a loss to Oregon or Michigan, obviously you want to see the Buckeyes win both games. Wins against both the Ducks and Wolverines would not only give Ohio State a leg up in the race to play in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title in early December, it also would help the Buckeyes earn the best possible seed when the playoff field is announced.
Since we are asking “This or That?” this week at LGHL, today we are giving you a topic with just two possible choices. Which is the more important game for Ohio State football this year, Oregon or Michigan? Since these are the marquee road and home games for the Buckeyes this year, we are solely focusing on them.
Today’s question: Is Oregon or Michigan the more important game for Ohio State football in 2024?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: Oregon
Welcome to the Big Ten, Oregon!
While this won’t be the first conference game for the Ducks since they play Michigan State the week prior to the showdown with the Buckeyes, it certainly is the biggest conference game for Oregon in 2024. Following a season in which they nearly won the Pac-12 and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff, Dan Lanning has the Ducks primed to be a favorite to make the 12-team playoff.
Even though Oregon lost quarterback Bo Nix to the NFL, they are bringing in Oklahoma transfer quarterback Dillion Gabriel to lead their high-powered offense. Seeing Caleb Downs and the Ohio State defense matchup against Gabriel and the Ducks will be fun to watch.
The next reason I think the Oregon game is the more important game for Ohio State this year is more of a selfish reason. Since I have family in southern Oregon and friends in Portland, I’m planning on heading out there the week of the game.
Originally the plan was to go to the game but since it is looking like it’ll be at least $2500 for four tickets, we might get priced out of going. Even if it isn’t in the cards to go to Autzen, it’ll still be fun to be out there in October. There is talk of a possible trip to a casino/sportsbook in Coos Bay the weekend of the game if we don’t end up in Eugene, so I certainly wouldn’t mind gambling on the coast.
Another reason I’m more interested in the Oregon game over the Michigan game is with all the changes in Ann Arbor following their national title, this year’s game doesn’t feel like as much of a toss-up as we have seen the last few years. Don’t get me wrong, I love the rivalry and will be locked in at the end of November when the Buckeyes and Wolverines square off in Columbus.
I just don’t think The Game is nearly as important this year since Michigan could be heading into this year’s game with a couple losses on their schedule already, while Ohio State and Oregon is likely to be a showdown between two teams ranked in the top-five.
Gene’s answer: Michigan
If I’m going to get gifted the chance to say that The Game is the most important matchup on Ohio State’s schedule, I am going to take it. While I do think the outcome of the Oregon game will likely be more impactful in the long run in terms of a Big Ten Championship appearance and College Football Playoff seeding, there is still nothing that can reach of pinnacle of Buckeyes vs. Wolverines.
Outside of the obvious rivalry aspect, the first — and perhaps biggest — reason why the Michigan game is bigger for Ohio State this reason is for Ryan Day’s sake. The Buckeyes’ head coach is 56-8 overall, which pretty much any program in the country would sign up for immediately. However, three of those losses are to Michigan in the past three years, which prior to CFP expansion and ditching divisions in the B1G, costed Ohio State not only a conference title, but a playoff bid as well.
Even outside of all the external factors that come with losing to TTUN, you simply cannot lose to Michigan four years in a row: full stop. Unless he was to go on to win a national championship in 2024, a loss to the Wolverines — who are now led by a new head coach and without many of last year’s big contributors — for the fourth-straight time would likely spell the end of Day’s tenure in Columbus. The Game is too important and Ohio State is too loaded on paper this season for that to occur without serious consequences.
In addition, the timing is a big factor in why Michigan is the bigger matchup for Ohio State this year. If the Buckeyes were to lose to Oregon, there would still be six games to follow to correct any mistakes and build back up for a College Football Playoff run. On the flip side, Ohio State losing to Michigan in the final game of the regular season would be an awful way to enter the postseason, and could potentially put the Buckeyes on the bubble depending how the rest of the B1G shakes out.
All else equal, it would be tough for Ohio State’s biggest matchup of the season to not be Michigan in any given campaign. Even if the Buckeyes were 11-0 and the Wolverines were 0-11 heading into The Game, it would feel like a bit of a failed season without an OSU victory. That being said, with the trajectories of the two programs this offseason and what has happened over the past three years, this year’s matchup against Michigan will be of the highest importance for everyone involved in scarlet and gray.
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