Is Oregon or Michigan the more important game for Ohio State in 2024?

The Ohio State football team’s 2024 schedule really only has two games that people are looking forward to. The Oct. 12 matchup in Eugene against Oregon and the game against Michigan, which will take place in Columbus on Nov. 30. No offense to Iowa, Penn State and the Buckeyes’ other opponents this regular season, but the games against the Ducks and Wolverines are the ones that Buckeye Nation has marked on their calendars since Ohio State’s schedule was released.

With the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams, a loss to Oregon or Michigan doesn’t necessarily mean the Buckeyes won’t make the playoffs, as the expanded field allows a little more room for error. While Ohio State can afford a loss to Oregon or Michigan, it obviously wants the Buckeyes to win both games. Wins against the Ducks and Wolverines would not only give Ohio State an edge in the race for the Big Ten title in early December in Indianapolis, but would also help the Buckeyes secure the best possible seed when the playoff field is announced.

Since we’re asking “This or That?” this week at LGHL, today we’re giving you a topic with only two possible answers. Which is the more important game for Ohio State football this year, Oregon or Michigan? Since these are the Buckeyes’ most important road and home games this year, we’re focusing exclusively on those.

The question of the day: Is Oregon or Michigan the more important game for the Ohio State football team in 2024?

We would love to hear your suggestions. Reply to us either on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: Oregon

Welcome to the Big Ten, Oregon!

While this isn’t the first conference game for the Ducks since they played Michigan State the week before their showdown with the Buckeyes, it’s certainly Oregon’s most important conference game of 2024. After a season in which they nearly won the Pac-12 and clinched a spot in the College Football Playoff, Dan Lanning sees the Ducks as favorites to make the 12-team playoff.

Although Oregon lost quarterback Bo Nix to the NFL, they are bringing in Oklahoma transfer quarterback Dillion Gabriel to lead their high-powered offense. It will be exciting to see Caleb Downs and Ohio State’s defense take on Gabriel and the Ducks.

The next reason I think the Oregon game is the more important game for Ohio State this year is more of a selfish reason. Since I have family in Southern Oregon and friends in Portland, I plan to drive there the week of the game.

The original plan was to go to the game, but since it looks like four tickets will cost at least $2,500, we might not be able to afford to get in. Even if driving to Autzen is out of the question, it will still be fun to be there in October. There is talk of a possible trip to a casino/sports book in Coos Bay the weekend of the game if we don’t end up in Eugene, so I certainly wouldn’t mind playing on the coast.

Another reason I’m more interested in the Oregon game than Michigan is because after all the changes in Ann Arbor following the national title win, this year’s game doesn’t feel as much like a head-to-head as it has in recent years. Don’t get me wrong, I love the rivalry and will be rooting for the Buckeyes and Wolverines to face off in Columbus in late November.

I just don’t think the game is nearly as important this year, as Michigan may already be entering this year’s game with a couple of losses on its schedule, while Ohio State and Oregon will likely be a showdown between two teams ranked in the top five.

Gene’s answer: Michigan

If I get the chance to say the game is the most important matchup on Ohio State’s schedule, I’ll take it. While I believe the outcome of the Oregon game will likely be more important in the long run as far as Big Ten Championship appearances and College Football Playoff seeding go, there’s still nothing that can compare to the Buckeyes vs. Wolverines high point.

Aside from the obvious rivalry aspect, the first – and perhaps most important – reason the Michigan game is more important for Ohio State is Ryan Day. The Buckeyes’ head coach has a 56-8 overall record, something pretty much any team in the country would immediately agree with. However, three of those losses in the last three years have been against Michigan, which cost Ohio State not only a conference title but a playoff appearance prior to the CFP expansion and abandonment of divisions in the B1G.

Even apart from all the external factors that come with a defeat against TTUN, can not lose to Michigan four years in a row: period. Unless he wins the national championship in 2024, a loss to the Wolverines — now led by a new head coach and without many of last year’s big performers — for the fourth year in a row would likely spell the end of Day’s tenure in Columbus. The game is too important and Ohio State is too loaded on paper this season for that to happen without serious consequences.

Additionally, timing is a big factor in why Michigan is the stronger opponent for Ohio State this year. If the Buckeyes were to lose to Oregon, they would still have six games to correct any mistakes and get back in shape for the College Football Playoff. On the other hand, an Ohio State loss to Michigan in the final game of the regular season would be a terrible start to the postseason and could potentially put the Buckeyes on the brink depending on how the rest of the B1G plays out.

All else being equal, it would be difficult for Ohio State not to see Michigan as its biggest opponent of the season. Even if the Buckeyes were 11-0 and the Wolverines 0-11 going into the game, it would be a pretty much a busted season without an OSU win. Given how the two programs have evolved this offseason and what has happened over the past three years, this year’s game against Michigan will be of utmost importance to everyone involved in the Scarlet and Gray.