Michigan Football: Could Ohio State game be moved to September?

There are a lot of things on the table with the Big Ten’s new 10-game conference schedule and one could be Michigan football and Ohio State playing earlier.

We are a facing a brave, new world in college sports right now and one huge difference, at least for fans of Michigan football and Ohio State, could be “The Game” being played earlier than normal.

The annual rivalry game between Michigan and Ohio State has normally been at the end of the season. It hasn’t always been the final game for each team, with bowl games and other postseason games, however, it’s usually the end of the regular season.

And to be honest, it’s hard to think about Michigan football and Ohio State playing at any other time. But according to Wolverine Digest, that’s on the table due to economics.

Here’s a quote from a TV executive via Wolverine Digest:

"“If for some reason the seasons get delayed or outright cancelled after 4-6 games, and the Michigan-Ohio State game is left unplayed … that would be a disaster. It’s the highest-rated game every year for the conference. It outdraws the Big Ten Championship. So what’s truly sacrilegious – that THE Game gets played in Week 4 or that it never gets played at all?”"

Any season, no matter the length, wouldn’t feel like college football to me without Michigan and Ohio State. While the article sheds light on a possible 10-game schedule, which should include a game against Nebraska or Iowa, it’s anyone’s best guess when it will actually be done.

Yet, Michigan heading to Nebraska or Iowa for a 10th game makes too much sense not to happen. The Wolverines have five home games already, while Iowa and Nebraska each have four within the Big Ten.

The league will want teams to have a balanced schedule between home and away games, meaning Michigan’s 10th game would more than likely come on the road.

That doesn’t seem as important as when Michigan and Ohio State will play. I get the argument for moving it up. And if each team played only one game this season, I think both the Buckeyes and Wolverines, as well as their fanbases would agree, that should be it.

Obviously, The Game in September is better than not at all, but if at all possible, I’d prefer it be at the end of any conference schedule.