Ohio State and Michigan still could play in the final game of the regular season, regardless of how the Big Ten organizes its new divisions, OSU President Gordon Gee and OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith told The Plain Dealer on Thursday.
Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith didn't divulge details of potential divisions in the new Big Ten, but OSU President Gordon Gee said in an interview on WBNS radio in Columbus that separating Ohio State and Michigan was under serious discussion.“The answer is yes, there is a possibility,” Gee said. “Nothing has been put finally on paper or voted on among the representatives, so until that takes place, all things are possible.”
Smith estimated he has received about 350 e-mails on the topic, about 90 percent of them urging Ohio State to keep the rivalry in its traditional spot in the schedule.
Recent comments by several Big Ten decision-makers made it seem as if separating the rivals and moving the game to earlier in the regular season was a strong possibility. Neither Gee nor Smith said they were surprised by the passionate response from fans, though the importance of that game in that spot on the calendar was always an important topic.
“I always knew it was an issue,” Smith said. “I've always had my reasons, but I'm getting additional reasons. . . . Honestly, there are people who are emotional and you know, they're not giving me anything different. They're telling me what I already know. I really appreciate the information from the people who are obviously being thoughtful and are giving me good information. . . . I've gotten models, I've gotten historical data, I've gotten a lot of stuff that makes sense.”
Smith said he asked former OSU players for their input and plans to seek the opinions of current players before the final Big Ten meetings. But so far, Smith said the focus of Big Ten athletic directors, who met in Chicago all day Monday and will talk on a conference call next week, has been on finalizing the divisions and talking about expanding to a ninth conference game. Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said a ninth game will be added starting in 2015.
Smith didn't divulge details of potential divisions, but Gee said in an interview on WBNS radio in Columbus that separating Ohio State and Michigan was under serious discussion. Gee expressed concern about playing Michigan in the last week of the season in that scenario, fearing a rematch the next week in a Big Ten championship game. But he said he wants the game at or near the end of the regular season, when previous speculation saw reasons for it to be pushed into October.
When Buckeye legend and WBNS host Chris Spielman said he didn't have a problem potentially playing in consecutive weeks, Gee seemed more receptive to the idea. Smith said he remains open to that as well.
“I think in the division or out of the division, you could play the last game,” Smith said. “There are obviously warts with both of those. But there's no doubt you could do it both ways.”
New starters: Ohio State released its depth chart Thursday for the opener with Marshall on Sept. 2 and it included two surprise starters. Andrew Sweat beat out Etienne Sabino as the starter at strongside linebacker, with Sabino listed as a co-backup at middle linebacker. And sophomore C.J. Barnett is listed as the starter at strong safety ahead of sophomore Orhian Johnson, who missed much of preseason camp with a left leg injury. Mike Adams, as expected, is listed as the starting left tackle ahead of Andrew Miller.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479