Traditionally, college football thrives on rivalry games. Regardless of the teams’ records entering the game, the moment takes precedence over most other victories. Players graduate and become proud alums, fans growing up rooting for a school that despises another. In the modern landscape, money could start threatening to change established rivalries. The Michigan athletic director checked in with his thoughts.
Michigan AD Warde Manuel Dismisses Talk of Minimizing Ohio State Rivalry
In the era of NIL, even long-standing rivalry games could be affected. However, Manuel explained to ESPN’s Heather Dinich that the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry will remain strong, regardless of the circumstances of any change to the current system.
“Hey @Espngreeny I asked Warde Manuel about the possibility of Michigan and Ohio State resting their starters in a 24-team CFP: “I like Mike, but I don’t see that happening. I can’t envision a world where that would happen. I don’t think it devalues (the regular season) at all.””
Manuel’s definitive statement comes at a time when negative attention surrounds Manuel and the football team.
This winter, thoughts surrounded an eventual move to a 24-team College Football Playoff. Manuel dispatched the idea that the two teams in one of the sport’s best rivalries would sit out players.
On October 16, 1897, Ohio State played Michigan for the first time. One hundred twenty-one different occasions have seen these schools separated by 185 miles but united by a deep dislike for each other.
The programs have combined for 84 Big Ten championships. In essence, the road to the Big Ten championship runs through one of these schools.
Similarly, the mutual enmity dates back generations. Many Buckeye players, fans, and alums will not use the letter M in the word Michigan, instead using an X. Or, they will use the acronym TTUN, which stands for “That Team Up North,” which was coined by legendary coach Woody Hayes.
TV ratings back up what Manuel asserted. For example, last season, 18.42 million viewers tuned in to watch the game. That number cleared Texas/Texas A&M by 5.38 million.
Granted, some schools will probably bench starters at the end of the season. Particularly, those that have no end-of-season rival.
For example, Indiana’s main rival is Purdue. Meanwhile, LSU suits up against Oklahoma. Those appear to be winnable with backups.
Additionally, an increase in eligible teams could see schedule shifting, slotting easier games at the end of the season.
While the playoff expansion to 24 teams has been a topic of deep discussion, nothing is concrete yet. When that does happen, how does that change the sport?
