There was a lot of talk about the long layoff between the Ohio State / Michigan game and the Rose Bowl and BCS Title game, and it's looking like the Big Ten might actually do something about it.Lloyd Carr has been the biggest proponent of moving the game to the first week of December, but Jim Tressel really isn't a fan of the idea:
"I wouldn't like at all the option of playing the week after Thanksgiving, because I think that's one of the things that's a real plus when you play in the Big Ten as a studentathlete is you train all summer long and you know you play a hard season.As a fan I could really care less. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to seeing Ohio State's season extended a couple of weeks since it would make the season feel longer, but in the end the amount of football I get to see won't change unless a game is added somewhere.
"But you know what? You're going to have a Thanksgiving (at home). And for as hard as our guys work, I think that's a real plus for them. I wouldn't want to kick the season backwards."
Tressel makes a great point that Thanksgiving at home is a great bonus for the players, but in the end the Big Ten will probably have to make a move, and I'm not sure this is the one to make. At some point won't a Big Ten title game make sense? I realize that it'd be a terrible move tradition wise, and I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I can't help but be excited thinking about the possibility. Big Ten basketball finally caved in to having a league tournament. Football will eventually do something similar when it comes to a title game, and I think the league will be better for it.
More: Date with Michigan might be moved - Columbus Dispatch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-05-2007 @ 11:41AM
TJL said...
JD- don't buy layoff was too long between "big" game and bowl games. Has not been a problem in the past when either team wins their bowl game. The layo-off excuse is lame for teams that did not appear to be prepared or stale game plans. if UM or OSU had won, would either USC of Fla be complaining that the Big Ten teams had too much time to "heal up" or prepare? The blame rests clearly on the coaches and players - period. As far as a playoff, don't buy it. Its crap. Why should the winner have to play the loser twice, its tough enough to beat your biggest rival once a year. See Fal v Fla St in 1996(?). Bowden didn't think it was right that he had to replay Fal again after beating them in the regular season. Any playoff seriously ditracts from regular season games. Want an example, anybody quickly remember an important regular season NFL game. NO - because its all a blur and everybody just waits until the playoffs. As a blue fan, Michigan had their shot, so did OSU.
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3-05-2007 @ 7:27PM
Erik J said...
I believe that there is an NCAA requirement that a conference have at least twelve teams before it's allowed to have a title game; that was also part of the deal when the ACC expanded. So if they want a title game, they'll have to add another team.
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3-06-2007 @ 7:41AM
roberto andino said...
i think college football should have a playoff. in the regular season there's not to many great teams playing against each other. so a playoffs would be so exciting, teams that normally don't each other, would play in the playoffs.
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3-12-2007 @ 3:04PM
RK said...
For the Ohio State pro day recap check- www.gridironnation.com .
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3-13-2007 @ 10:38AM
vance brown said...
I don't know if the layoff made the difference in the OSU /Florida national championship But it sure seemed like it. I am a die hard OSU fan and Have been watching them all year and it sure seemed like They thought the game was on tuesday. I Just don't think that Florida was that Florida was that much better. I am in Forida atA this time and still being harrassed about this game.
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