If rivalries don’t matter in college football then it will ruin the sport. Ohio State’s season was over the second they lost to Michigan!

College football has long been a sport defined by tradition, pageantry, and, most importantly, its rivalries. These games, rich in history and emotion, are often more than just another win or loss — they define seasons, shape legacies, and inspire fans in ways that go beyond mere wins and losses. One of the most iconic and heated rivalries in all of sports is the Ohio State-Michigan matchup, a game that has captivated generations of fans, players, and coaches alike.

For Ohio State, a team with national championship aspirations, the loss to Michigan in 2024 marked not just the end of their hopes for a playoff berth, but symbolized the erosion of the very fabric that makes college football unique. If rivalries no longer matter in the college football landscape, the sport would lose much of its heart, and the significance of a loss to Michigan would be a tragic casualty of that change.

The Historical Significance of the Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry

To understand the full impact of Ohio State’s loss to Michigan in 2024, it’s crucial to recognize the rich history of this rivalry. Known as “The Game,” the Ohio State-Michigan matchup is one of the most storied and passionate rivalries in all of sports. It’s a rivalry that dates back over a century and has often had implications for not only the Big Ten Championship but also the national title.

The rivalry has produced legendary moments, from Ohio State’s thrilling victories to Michigan’s iconic upsets. It’s a rivalry that goes beyond football — it touches upon the culture, history, and pride of two of the most prestigious programs in college football. The stakes of this game have always been immense, not only for the teams but for the fanbases, the cities of Columbus and Ann Arbor, and the entire Big Ten Conference.

When Ohio State lost to Michigan in 2024, it wasn’t just another loss. It was the end of their dreams for a college football playoff berth and possibly the national title. But more importantly, it was a devastating blow to the identity of Ohio State football itself, a symbol of the rivalry’s unmatched importance in shaping a season’s narrative.

The Psychological and Emotional Impact of Rivalry Games

Rivalry games in college football have a psychological weight that is unlike any other in sports. The emotional stakes for players and coaches are heightened, and the atmosphere is electric — fans from both sides are completely invested, making the competition fierce and unforgiving. In these games, the pressure is intense, and every play feels like it could decide the fate of the season.

For Ohio State, the loss to Michigan in 2024 was devastating for several reasons. First, there was the immediate disappointment of losing a game that was expected to be a showdown for supremacy in the Big Ten. Both teams had national title aspirations, and the loser of the game would be left fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoff, with Ohio State ultimately on the wrong side of the result.

But beyond the game itself, the emotional toll on the team was significant. The loss to Michigan was not just a missed opportunity to win a conference title — it was a betrayal of everything the players, coaches, and fans had worked for. For the seniors, it marked the end of their careers without a victory in one of the sport’s biggest and most storied games. For the underclassmen, the loss served as a harsh reminder that, in rivalry games, the outcome often carries much more weight than any regular season win or loss.

In the aftermath of the loss, Ohio State’s players struggled with the fallout. Head coach Ryan Day’s seat became significantly warmer, and the focus of the program shifted from playoff hopes to the soul-searching required to bounce back and restore the program’s proud tradition. The disappointment of losing to Michigan rippled throughout the entire season, leaving Ohio State with a sense of unfinished business and an overwhelming desire to redeem themselves in the coming years.

Rivalries and the College Football Playoff Landscape

The loss to Michigan in 2024 had dire consequences for Ohio State’s playoff hopes. In the current college football playoff format, conference championships and rivalry victories carry significant weight when the committee selects the top four teams. A loss to Michigan essentially eliminated Ohio State from playoff contention, no matter how well they performed in other games.

This is where the significance of rivalry games becomes even more apparent. In a system where only four teams are selected to compete for a national championship, the margin for error is razor-thin. One loss in a rivalry game can mean the difference between a playoff berth and a season that ends in disappointment. For Ohio State, their entire season was framed by the Michigan game, and when they fell short, their playoff hopes were dashed.

The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry encapsulates the high stakes of the modern college football landscape. The outcome of these games often determines whether a team will compete for a national championship or watch from the sidelines. If rivalries like Ohio State vs. Michigan lose their importance, then the very structure of college football — with its focus on rankings, selection committees, and playoff implications — loses much of its meaning.

The Value of Rivalries in Maintaining College Football’s Identity

Rivalries are the beating heart of college football. They are what make the sport unique in the landscape of American athletics. While professional leagues like the NFL and NBA are often driven by business interests and playoff formats, college football remains rooted in its traditions, with rivalry games serving as one of the key defining aspects of the sport.

For fans, a rivalry game is a celebration of school pride and history. It’s the embodiment of what college football is all about — passion, loyalty, and competition. Rivalry games like Ohio State vs. Michigan provide a sense of continuity from one generation to the next, as fans pass down their school pride to their children, who then carry on the torch.

Rivalries also serve as a way to keep teams accountable. When Ohio State loses to Michigan, it’s not just a loss in the standings — it’s a blow to the program’s identity and legacy. It creates an environment where winning isn’t just about personal accolades or regular season victories, but about upholding the pride of the program, the fans, and the school.

Without the intensity of rivalries, college football runs the risk of becoming just another sterile, corporate-driven sport where teams are defined by their regular-season record and playoff chances alone. Rivalries add meaning to every game, making each victory more significant and each loss more painful. The passion that comes with these rivalries makes college football unique and irreplaceable.

The Future of College Football Rivalries

Looking ahead, the question remains: What will the future of college football look like if rivalries continue to lose significance? In a landscape where realignment and television contracts seem to be dictating the future of the sport, there is concern that college football’s soul is slowly being eroded. If rivalries like Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, or Texas-Oklahoma are no longer seen as central to the college football experience, the sport risks becoming a diluted version of its former self.

In the case of Ohio State, their season was essentially over the moment they lost to Michigan in 2024. The immediate consequences of the loss were clear — no playoff berth, no Big Ten Championship, and no shot at a national title. But the more profound impact was on the identity of the team, the players, and the fans. Losing to Michigan meant more than just a missed opportunity — it was a reminder that college football, at its best, is driven by these intense, high-stakes rivalries.

Conclusion: The Heart of College Football

College football is a sport built on tradition, emotion, and rivalries. For Ohio State, the loss to Michigan in 2024 was not just a setback in the standings, but a blow to the very essence of what makes college football special. Rivalries like Ohio State vs. Michigan are what keep the sport exciting, unpredictable, and deeply personal for fans and players alike.

If rivalries were to lose their importance in college football, the sport would lose much of its soul. The sport would become just another business venture, where rankings and playoffs dictate everything. But as long as games like Ohio State vs. Michigan matter, college football will remain a unique and cherished institution, where every game feels like it carries the weight of history and tradition.

For Ohio State, and for college football as a whole, the loss to Michigan in 2024 should serve as a reminder of just how vital these rivalries are to the identity of the sport. Without them, college football would lose not only its passion but also its very reason for being.