Look, no self-respecting Ohio State fan is going to be happy that Michigan won the National Championship. So was the headline a little too strong? Perhaps. But conference pride is a thing nowadays, and Buckeye fans might find themselves enjoying the fact that a Big Ten team won it all–at least a little bit. Aside from that, though, Michigan’s win actually has some tangible benefits for Ohio State. Are we cheering for the Wolverines? Certainly not. But there are still plenty of reasons to be a little bit happy Michigan won it all.
1. It ends the conference drought
Why does this matter? Because it changes how people think about the Big Ten. It had been over two-and-a-half decades since a Big Ten team took home the crown. The idea that the Big Ten can’t do it weighs on recruits, and on donors. Who will shell out a massive NIL package if you can’t win it all anyway? Who wants to come to a school if you think the ceiling is falling short? Would it have been better had that ceiling been shattered by Illinois instead of Michigan? Absolutely. But the…..