COVID-19 Cancels Michigan-Ohio State

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has done something that not even World War II could accomplish. It has canceled the Michigan-Ohio State game - a previously unbroken rivalry since 1917. The only reason they didn’t play in 1917 was that Michigan was not in the conference that year.

This was to be the 117th meeting between the two teams and 103rd in a row. Now it has the college football world wondering what will be the fallout for both programs going forward.

What It Means to Ohio State

This could have been a disaster for the 2020 Ohio State Buckeyes. When the Big Ten began its truncated and delayed season in October, the conference put in a rule that required at least six games played to make the Big Ten Championship Game. This cancellation leaves the Buckeyes with just five games played on the season.

In the big-money world of college football, however, nothing is written in stone. Realizing that an Ohio State left out of the conference title game might be an Ohio State left out of the College Football Playoff, the Big Ten changed its rule this week. 

The conference said that, after a careful analysis of the competitive balance of the league, it determined that the Buckeyes would have advanced to the title game regardless of the Michigan-Ohio State outcome.

Too bad for Indiana, which would have played in the game. And too bad for Northwestern, which now has to play the Dunkel Index’s top-ranked team in the nation for the Big Ten title.

What It Means to Michigan

It’s been a forgettable year in Ann Arbor. What started promising has turned into a 2-4 campaign that already saw the Wolverines suffer the indignity of losing to in-state rival Michigan State. 

Some might say the Ohio State cancellation spares Michigan from another humiliating defeat at the hands of a rival.

That is true. But what is also true is that a good showing against Ohio State might have salvaged some of the season. It also might have been the difference between a contract extension for head coach Jim Harbaugh and a mutually agreed upon parting of the ways.

Harbaugh is 0-5 vs. Ohio State. He’s only 3-3 vs. Michigan State, 1-4 in bowl games, and 1-8 vs. Top 10 teams. 

Many people are saying that Michigan’s cancellation of this game is akin to waving the white flag of surrender. But for Harbaugh, not playing it might even be worse than another loss. 

Really, what did he have to lose? His record against Ohio State is already abysmal.

What It Means to College Football

Losing one of the great rivalry games is always unfortunate. As lopsided as things have been, it’s still a fun game to watch because of the inevitable old film of Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes absolutely hating one another. 

It’s also one less opportunity for college football to showcase a true star in Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. He’s a longshot to win the Heisman Trophy at this point, and missing out on a nationally televised showcase probably ends his bid.

For Dunkel Index picks for games that will be played this weekend, check out our college football picks page.