The Ohio State Buckeyes appreciate the Big Ten Conference television deal and all, but just not that much.
One of the largest talking points for the league, at least as of late, has been the idea of wanting to add Friday night games into the schedule. Not an awful idea. One that makes sense given the fact the conference would like to expand its brand.
Ohio State has a brand. It is established. Expansion isn't really needed. It was there before Urban Meyer was taking verbal jabs at Tom Herman. It was that well even before some vest wearing troublemaker got himself booted. The Buckeyes will likely stay a long established brand well after the Big Ten's current TV deal runs dry.
Following Penn State and Michigan's lead, the Buckeyes have also come out and shunned the idea of playing under Friday night lights.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith put this baby to bed recently:
“We don’t think Ohio State is a program that will ultimately play on Friday night,” Smith told The Columbus Dispatch. “We’re more valuable on a Saturday for our television partners. We don’t need to play on a Friday night.”
“I don’t anticipate it (Ohio State playing in a Friday night game),” Smith said. “If you’re running a network, would you put us on Friday night or Saturday? … Friday night is not our world.”
While I don't agree with everything Gene Smith has ever uttered, he isn't wrong here. The Buckeyes are far more valuable on a Saturday than they are on a Friday.
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