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Friends, I am not normally a conspiracy theorist, but I know some of you are. Originally, it had been announced that ESPN would be re-airing the iconic 2016 Ohio State-M*ch*g*n Game on Thursday, April 16, since there are no real sports currently going on for them to televise.
In preparation for the re-broadcast of what has become known as “The Spot Game,” I spoke with LGHL’s Managing Editor Tia Johnston and Columbus sports reporting legend Lori Schmidt to get their unique perspectives on this all-time great contest.
However, as I was checking out my cable guide to confirm the time for tonight’s broadcast, I realized that the game had been bumped for a rerun of the NBA Horse Challenge Quarterfinals (at least Buckeye Mike Conley, Jr. is involved). I know that a certain sect of Buckeye Nation thinks that the Worldwide Leader has it in for Ohio State, and normally I think that is silly and a bit tin-foil hattish, but HOW DARE YOU, ESPN?
We are in the middle of a global pandemic, and you are going to play with the emotions of the largest, most passionate fan base in the country? I repeat, HOW. DARE. YOU?
Here’s the good news though, you can still listen to our podcast about the game below, and there are two Ohio State games on the ESPN family of networks today. At 11 a.m. ET, the iconic 2003 Fiesta Bowl (which I mention in the episode) between OSU and the Miami Hurricanes is on ESPNU, and then tonight the 2005 OSU-M*ch*g*n game is on at 9 p.m. ET.
Also, if you are really jonesing to see actually, just how good the spot was, our always reliable friends at the Big Ten Network will be running the game in their 60 minute format at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, April 17. So, you can confirm that actually, the spot was good and that Jim Harbaugh is a world-class choke artist without having to sit through all of the inane between-play banter. So, I guess it’s a win-win.
Listen to the episode here, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:
Contact Tia Johnston | Twitter: @TiaJohnston_
Contact Lori Schmidt | Twitter: @LoriSchmidt
Contact Matt Tamanini | Twitter: @BWWMatt
Music by: epidemicsound.com