With the Big Ten adding on USC and UCLA, it was inevitable that Ohio State and other current members of the conference would undergo a schedule change.
That was all announced today, with some of it making perfect sense, while some of it wasn’t quite as straightforward. The change from Kevin Warren to Tony Petitti as commissioner meant changes would be coming also, as Petitti would want to put his stamp on the conference as soon as he could.
There are going to be plenty of thoughts about how this all breaks down and here are my immediate reactions to the changes.
No divisions makes sense
Big Ten will announce 2024/2025 football schedule format at 4:30 ET today. I'll have a story detailing the model, which will eliminate divisions, as previously reported. The league's objectives were deciding the right games to protect and balancing travel as much as possible.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) June 8, 2023
Thoughts
With the expansion to the West Coast, divisions were going to get a bit complicated and this solves it. The best two teams will play for a conference title. Does this water down the end of seasons rivalry matchups like Ohio State vs. Michigan? Of course, it does, but with the expanded College Football Playoff on the way, it was going to have the same result anyways.
Nine conference games is perfect
🚨 The #B1G Announces 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 Future Football Schedule Format
🏈 #B1Gfootball24and25
🔗 https://t.co/AoNgFZWg9h pic.twitter.com/zBceT9kNGG— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) June 8, 2023
Thoughts
It makes the most sense. There is an emphasis on conference play, which there should be. The other three non-conference matchups will still carry some weight, but a good Big Ten should force the hand of the CFP committee to include more teams due to a tougher schedule. With the SEC staying at 8 games, it should give the Big Ten an advantage with seeding and bids also.
Two-year rotation is smart
🔵 = home-and-home plays, 2024 & 2025
⚪️ = protected opponents, 2024 & beyond📷: @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/fyv0HDFHw9
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 8, 2023
Thoughts
Being able to play each team at least every other year is important for the experience of the players and the fans. It mixes up the schedule and keeps it fresh. You will visit each school once every four years, which means the balance is there. It’s a great format for the conference and allows a kid to potentially play in every venue in the Big Ten.
Buckeyes protected rival
mark your calendars, the buckeyes future is set 🌰 pic.twitter.com/bRBDeouhXG
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 8, 2023
Thoughts
I think the Big Ten missed out on this, not lining up Ohio State to play Penn State every year. It’s a legit rivalry, albeit a lopsided one, but still. The two schools have developed a deep hatred for each other and it shows on the field. When the Buckeyes travel to Happy Valley, it’s almost assuredly a whiteout for the Nittany Lions. It’s a big deal for both schools and unfortunately, we won’t see it every year. Penn State doesn’t have one protected rival, the conference missed on this one.
Ohio State against the California teams
2024 Ohio State Schedule Snapshot
Aug. 31 – Southern Mississippi
Sept. 7 – Western Michigan
Sept. 14 – Off
Sept. 21 – MarshallB1G Home Games
Illinois
Iowa
Michigan
Northwestern
RutgersB1G Away Games
Michigan State
Minnesota
Penn State
UCLADates announced in the Fall of 2023
— Jerry Emig (@BuckeyeNotes) June 8, 2023
Thoughts
The Buckeyes will travel to UCLA in 2024 and then host USC in 2025. It will be extremely interesting to find out the start times of these games because of the difference in time zones (sometimes three hours). Imagine when the Trojans visit Columbus and it’s a Noon ET kick time for instance. It could be a slight advantage for the home teams in that scenario on both sides.
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