Michigan Football Responds To Ryan Day's Idea About Potentially Moving 'The Game'
INDIANAPOLIS -- The last regular week of college football is surrounded by Thanksgiving, Midwest cold air, and crowding around the TV to watch 'The Game'.
Michigan and Ohio State have played annually since 1918 and the contest has been held at the end of the regular season ever since 1935. But with changes coming to the Big Ten conference in 2024 -- no more divisions -- it's quite possible the two teams could play one another in back-to-back weeks. There is also another possibility the two teams could see each other in the playoffs -- they are expanding to 12 teams in '24 -- so in one season, fans may see Ohio State vs. Michigan three times.
During Day 1 of Big Ten Media Days, Ryan Day said he thinks there should be a conversation about when 'The Game' is played. He had the idea of moving it up so it's not 'awkward' playing Michigan two times in a row.
“People see it from different points of view," Day said. "I’m glad we still have the rivalry game. I do think we should consider when we play it, just because you may end up playing it back-to-back weeks...which would be awkward. I know we need to consider the tradition, but I think it’s worth a conversation on when. I think that’s significant just on how the season plays out."
“I think we shouldn’t move it, but I think it’s worth talking about. 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 going to 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. That’s all.”
Of course, there was much anticipation on how Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan players would respond on Day 2. But the head coach stood at the podium and said he didn't have much of an opinion on that matter. But he ultimately said it's a part of the Thanksgiving tradition.
"We'll play that whenever it's scheduled to be played," stated Harbaugh. "We know we're going to play it every season at least once. I don't have a particular opinion of when it should be played. Right now it's played the last game of the season. I think everybody's used to that. It's part of the Thanksgiving tradition now. So that's when we'll expect it."
Senior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins had the same type of response when the media had a chance to speak to him one-on-one. He says whenever 'The Game' is, Michigan will be ready and the Wolverines will attack it like they have the past two seasons.
“I mean, I’m kind of simple," said Jenkins. "I feel like everybody stands on this from Michigan, but whatever time the game is, whenever it is, we are going to play, attack it the same way. Whatever happens, if there is a change in the schedule – we are going to attack the game – attack it with the same mentality as we do anything else.”
Blake Corum, like Jenkins and Harbaugh, is used to playing against Ohio State in the last week of the season, but he really didn't have much of an opinion on moving it or not.
But Corum did have a rather strong opinion on if playing the Buckeyes back-to-back weeks would diminish the original 'The Game'. He says it's a "losers mentality" to think it wouldn't matter. Both teams should never want to lose to one another.
“If you’re going to go into the game be like, ‘Oh, we are playing them next week so it doesn’t matter if we lose this week.’ Come on man, what type of mindset is that?” Corum said. “That’s a loser’s mindset. If I know I’m going to play them next week, then I’m going to play as hard this week as I am next week. It’s not going to take away from the game. I know my guys, it’s not going to take anything away from my guys. I get what he’s saying, but I don’t think so”.
Michigan opens fall camp on Aug 2 and opens the season against East Carolina on Sept
