The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, arguably the most iconic in college football, is undergoing a significant adjustment that could reshape the traditions, strategies, and stakes of The Game for years to come. Amid sweeping changes to college athletics brought on by conference realignment, expanded playoff formats, and lucrative media deals, the Big Ten has announced a scheduling adjustment that alters the frequency and timing of the Buckeyes’ annual clash with the Wolverines. What was once an ironclad fixture on the final Saturday of the regular season is now being subject to modern influences—some fans call it evolution, while others call it sacrilege.
Ohio State versus Michigan has, for decades, been more than just a game. It’s been a cultural touchstone, a measuring stick, and in many years, a de facto playoff. The tradition of facing off in late November, often with conference titles and national championship implications on the line, created a rhythm in the college football season that fans came to rely on. The snowy afternoons in Ann Arbor or Columbus, the scarlet and maize clashing in a frenzy of emotion and history, and the deep-rooted disdain between the two programs formed a rivalry unmatched in its passion and pageantry.
But change is the new normal in college football. With the Big Ten expanding to include powerhouses like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, the logistical demands of scheduling have intensified. The conference’s shift to a divisionless format, meant to produce a true top-two matchup in the Big Ten Championship Game, played a major role in the scheduling shakeup. Under the new model, Ohio State and Michigan will continue to play each other every year, but the date of the game could fluctuate depending on broader scheduling needs. The idea of Ohio State and Michigan playing twice in a three-week span, or even in back-to-back games, is now a distinct possibility.
This adjustment doesn’t just affect the fans or the tradition—it directly impacts the teams and their strategic approach to the season. Playing Michigan in the final week has historically given both teams a clear focus throughout the year: win every game, but especially that one. Now, if the rivalry game is moved up a week or two, or if the teams are slated to meet again in the Big Ten Championship Game, how do coaches manage their rosters? How do they game plan if there’s a strong chance they’ll meet again shortly after?
Ryan Day, Ohio State’s head coach, addressed the change with a measured tone, acknowledging the emotional weight of the rivalry while also accepting the need to adapt to the modern structure of the sport. “The Game will always be The Game,” Day said. “It’s still the most important game on our schedule. But we also have to be prepared for a new reality where we might see them more than once in a season. That doesn’t lessen the rivalry. It just gives us another chance to prove who we are.”
On the other side, Michigan’s head coach Sherrone Moore echoed similar sentiments. While acknowledging the deep significance of The Game, Moore pointed to the broader context of competing in an expanded and more competitive Big Ten. “Our job is to beat Ohio State, no matter when or where the game is played,” Moore said. “That’s our mission, and that hasn’t changed. But we’re also entering a new era, and we have to be ready for anything.”
This adjustment comes on the heels of Michigan’s recent resurgence in the rivalry. After years of dominance by Ohio State, the Wolverines have flipped the script, winning three consecutive meetings. That success has brought new life into the rivalry and raised the stakes for every installment. In 2024, Michigan’s victory over Ohio State was not just a win; it propelled them into the College Football Playoff, further intensifying the rivalry’s implications on the national landscape.
There’s also a financial element driving these changes. The Big Ten’s blockbuster media rights deal—worth over $7 billion—has placed greater emphasis on maximizing marquee matchups. Flexibility in scheduling allows television partners to slot major games for peak ratings windows, potentially increasing exposure and revenue. Ohio State vs. Michigan remains the crown jewel of the conference, and adjusting its placement gives broadcasters more leverage to showcase it on a national stage, perhaps even in primetime, though that idea still meets resistance from traditionalists.
For the fans, the adjustment is bittersweet. On one hand, more opportunities to watch Ohio State and Michigan square off could bring more excitement and unpredictability to the rivalry. On the other hand, it disrupts a deeply ingrained tradition. The game’s placement on the final Saturday of the regular season was not arbitrary—it was a sacred ritual. Alumni tailgates, family gatherings, and decades of memories are anchored to that date. To many, altering it feels like rewriting history.
Ohio State’s players have been vocal about the change, too. Senior linebacker Cody Simon expressed mixed feelings about the potential for playing Michigan twice. “That game means everything to us,” Simon said. “It’s the one we think about all year. If we play them in the regular season and then again in the Big Ten Championship, it might change the intensity of the first one. Or maybe it makes both games even crazier. Either way, we have to bring our best, every time.”
The recruiting landscape may also be impacted. The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry has long served as a pivotal point in recruiting pitches. Coaches use the magnitude of The Game to sell prospects on the experience of competing at the highest level of college football. Adjustments to the rivalry’s schedule could influence how players perceive the rivalry’s prominence in the evolving Big Ten landscape.
Beyond the rivalry, this scheduling change is part of a larger transformation in college football. The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, the growing influence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, and the shifting conference alignments are creating a dynamic, sometimes volatile, environment. Programs are being forced to adapt quickly or risk falling behind. For Ohio State, that means maintaining elite performance on the field while navigating changes off it—changes that are altering the very fabric of the sport.
The program’s leadership, from athletic director Gene Smith to President Ted Carter, has made it clear that Ohio State is committed to preserving the traditions that matter while embracing progress where necessary. The balance between those two goals is delicate. Moving The Game away from its traditional date may not sit well with everyone, but if it means maximizing postseason positioning or increasing visibility on a national scale, it’s a trade-off the university seems willing to make.
Despite all the changes, one thing remains clear: The Game is still the most important contest on Ohio State’s schedule. Whether it’s played in Ann Arbor or Columbus, in November or December, once or twice in a season, the stakes will remain sky-high. The pride, the bragging rights, the championship implications—all of it will still be there. The names may change, the formats may evolve, but the hatred, the intensity, and the history are etched into the DNA of both programs.
Looking ahead, fans will have to adjust their calendars and expectations. The possibility of seeing Ohio State and Michigan play each other in back-to-back weeks—first to close the regular season, then again in the Big Ten Championship—is not just theoretical. It’s a scenario the conference has accounted for, and if both teams continue to dominate, it could become a regular occurrence. That, in itself, could add a new layer to the rivalry—more strategy, more drama, and perhaps even more animosity.
So as the Buckeyes prepare for the next chapter in their storied rivalry with the Wolverines, they do so with both eyes open: one focused on the traditions of the past, and one on the challenges and opportunities of the future. Whether the adjustment to the series will enhance the rivalry or dilute its magic remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—when Ohio State meets Michigan, the country will be watching, the emotions will be raw, and the outcome will still matter more than anything else.
Because some rivalries aren’t just built on dates and schedules. They’re built on generations of competition, of legends made and hearts broken. And no adjustment, no matter how modern or well-intentioned, can take that away.