So I have spent the time since last Saturday reconciling my emotions and thoughts regarding what happened.  Wonder if anyone has as well?  It's basically going thru the stages of grief and I think I am at acceptance.  It's not just for the game on Saturday but its really about THE GAME as a whole and what it means now and what it should/will mean in the future.  

I think it is fair to say that THE GAME means everything if you are an Ohio State fan, but in 2024, what should it mean?  In 2025? Ten years from now?  Having grown up in the later Woody years to now, college football as a whole has changed light years from what it was.  THE GAME usually meant that you won the B1G and headed to the Rose Bowl.  Then in the late 90's the Rose Bowl may not have been the choice but THE GAME still meant you were most likely the B1G champ.  Then the 2010's happened and to win the B1G you had to beat ttun to have an OPPORTUNITY to win the B1G.  Then 2014 added the 4 team playoff where beating that team didn't mean the end of title dreams as 2022 showed us.  Ohio State beat them 2 years in this era and won the B1G but did not play for a title.  One year we lost to that team, did not win the B1G and almost won a title.

Now here we are in 2024.  I asked myself this question is 2022 and it is just a valid today.  What is more important?  If you had to choose ONLY 1, would it be beating that team, or winning a natty?  In years past to get the title, you had to beat the team.  Now you don't.  In order what would you list your Ohio State yearly goals?  1. Natty, 2. Beat that team, 3. B1G.  

I get it, some will not be happy unless Ohio State wins every game, and in some cases, win every game by 30.  

In this new world, Ohio State has twice shown that they can have a chance to win a national title without beating that team.  Is it time as fans we lower the importance of THE GAME??? Maybe move it to middle of season.  Stop with the crossing out of M's.  Stop obsessing with them 365.

I also think about the players.  With NIL and Portal, does THE GAME mean as much to players now as it did years ago?  Caleb Downs played in the Iron Bowl last year and now this game.  He did not transfer here to beat um.  Judkins did not transfer here to beat um.  Money and Playing time are more important.  Coming here just comes with that extra piece that we the fans care about, but do they?  No Ohio State starter comes to Ohio State to beat um.  They come for their own reasons of Money, NFL, etc.  Whenever we see a recruit "Open their commitment" we all know why.  It wasn't because of THE GAME, it is because of playing time and money.  McCord cared so much about beating that team and "righting the wrong" that he stuck around.... never mind.  

TV, Money, Portal and Conference Alignment has changed the landscape of college football, whether it is for the best or worst.  Now we as fans live in a world where we are now faced with this issue.

You have a choice and you can only pick one (and I get we all want option 3 which is undefeated every year but in reality):

1. Beat that team and lose in the playoff (not 2024)

2. Lose to that team and win a National Championship (today).

What are you taking?