Ohio State fans are talking about independence, but the math does not add up. Yahoo Sports laid out the case for the Buckeyes to leave the Big Ten, and it sounds messy. He writes that the conference is now “mostly just a TV bundle.” That blunt take hits hard, but going solo brings huge risks for a program that needs stability.
The idea of cutting ties with 17 other schools to keep more money sounds good on paper. It notes that only a few teams could actually make it work, and even they would struggle. “Only a small handful of programs could pull it off, and it wouldn’t necessarily be easy,” he writes. This is not a simple switch; it is a gamble that could backfire.
The Schedule Nightmare
Independence means Ohio State has to build its own schedule from scratch. The report suggests the Buckeyes could play four home-and-homes against other big names like Michigan and Texas. They would also need to find four more opponents from the ACC or Big 12.
That leaves just two spots for leftover Big Ten schools or smaller teams. The math shows they could get seven home games a year. But finding enough marquee opponents is already a problem for Notre Dame, the only other major independent.
Notre Dame is “already running into a problem finding enough marquee opponents to fill a schedule now that they’re all playing nine conference games.” If the top teams all go independent, the field gets crowded fast. Who does Ohio State play when the Big Ten does not exist?
Quarterback Drama First
Before worrying about the future of the conference, the team has a major issue right now. For the USC matchup, head coach Ryan Day must decide whether Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair will start. Julian Sayin is out with a shoulder injury, and the competition is wide open.
Day says both players have been “really into it and practice was good last week.” He needs to figure out who gives the team the best chance to win. The decision timeline is tight. Beat writer Jeff Gilbert says Fahey and St. Clair will know first, then the rest of the team. “Every other Ohio State constituency must wait until no one knows when.” That uncertainty is enough to worry fans without adding conference chaos.
The Buckeyes are ranked No. 2, but they face a tough road trip to Los Angeles. USC just lost to Wisconsin, yet Day calls them “as talented a team as I’ve seen on film.” The team needs a solid quarterback plan before they start worrying about leaving the conference. If they cannot beat USC on the road, independence is the last thing on the table.
