Ohio State Football: How Scheduling Should Work

In today's Columbus Dispatch, there was an article discussing Ohio State's and USC's scheduling philosophies. The article pointed out that USC is playing at Virginia on Aug. 30, against Ohio State at home on Sept. 13, and finishes up their non-conference opponents in late November when they play Notre Dame at home. USC will play its other nine games against Pac-10 competition. By comparison, Ohio State opens up at home against Youngstown State on Aug. 30, at home against Ohio University on Sept. 6, plays at USC Sept. 13, then comes home to play Troy on Sept. 20. The remaining eight games are against Big Ten competition. The national perception of Ohio State is that Ohio State does not play anyone. When you read through this article, and compare Ohio State's schedule to USC's schedule, that argument is validated. The article also points out that Ohio State has not always been this way with regards to scheduling. In 1988 , Ohio State played Syracuse at home (win), at Pittsburgh (excruciating ... (link)