Ohio State Fans Will Love This: New Congressional Bill Could Force SEC, ACC Teams to Play More Big Ten Opponents

Ohio State fans have long clamored for more marquee matchups, more opportunities to prove themselves on a national stage, and, perhaps most loudly, more balance in scheduling across the Power Five. Now, thanks to a bold new proposal out of Washington, Buckeye Nation might finally get exactly what it wants — and then some.

A U.S. Representative from Ohio, citing the growing frustration among Big Ten programs and fans over what many see as scheduling inequity, has proposed a groundbreaking college football scheduling reform bill aimed at forcing more inter-conference play between top programs. In short, the proposed legislation would push the SEC and ACC to play more games against Big Ten and Big 12 opponents, all in the name of competitive balance and fan interest. For fans of Ohio State, especially after recent College Football Playoff controversies and strength-of-schedule debates, this idea feels like justice in motion.

The bill, informally dubbed the “Gridiron Equity Act,” is the brainchild of Representative Marcus Caldwell, a diehard Buckeye fan and former Ohio State student body president. Caldwell says the bill is not about giving Ohio State special treatment, but rather about restoring a sense of fairness and integrity to college football scheduling — and ensuring that powerhouse programs don’t hide behind soft schedules.

“Ohio State schedules tough games every year — Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas coming up — and yet we still see other conferences sending playoff teams through a relatively untested gauntlet,” Caldwell said in a press release. “If you want to be the best, you should have to play the best. This bill encourages that without micromanaging the sport.”

The legislation doesn’t mandate exact matchups or dictate weekly schedules, but it would require all Power Five teams to play at least two non-conference games per season against teams from other Power Five leagues. Importantly, one of those two games would have to come against a program that has finished in the AP Top 25 at least once in the past three seasons. For a team like Ohio State, that’s nothing new. But for certain SEC schools that routinely avoid challenging non-conference games, it’s a potential game-changer.

The impact for Buckeye fans could be immense. No longer would Ohio State’s resume be diminished by perception, or compared unfavorably to teams that haven’t left their region all season. Under Caldwell’s bill, the sport’s elite would need to prove their worth in true cross-regional tests. It would bring back the types of high-stakes matchups that fans love and make the regular season more meaningful, especially as the College Football Playoff expands.

For years, Ohio State fans have pointed to scheduling disparities as a reason why the Buckeyes have been snubbed or criticized. Whether it was the 2022 playoff debate where a one-loss Ohio State team was scrutinized while an SEC team with a similar record was praised, or years of SEC teams scheduling three cupcakes in September, the cries have been loud and consistent: Make everyone play real games.

This proposal would go a long way toward addressing that. And while it remains to be seen whether such a bill could survive the legislative gauntlet in a divided Congress — or if the NCAA or College Football Playoff committee would recognize or enforce it — the message is clear. People are tired of imbalance. And nowhere is that frustration felt more keenly than in Columbus.

The potential ripple effects of the bill are vast. For one, it could shake up television contracts, with more blockbuster games leading to higher ratings. ESPN, FOX, and CBS — networks that have invested billions in college football — would surely relish the chance to air Ohio State vs. Georgia in September, or Alabama traveling to Michigan in week two. Secondly, it would strengthen the resumes of teams vying for at-large playoff bids. Under the proposed structure, no team could coast through a weak schedule unchallenged.

For Big Ten programs like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and even rising powers like Oregon and Washington, this bill is a win-win. It helps validate the conference’s competitive rigor and forces others to rise to that standard. It also serves the fans — the ones paying for tickets, watching on TV, and flooding message boards with complaints about Georgia playing Ball State in week ten.

Not surprisingly, early feedback from the South has been mixed. Some SEC fans see it as a direct attack on their tradition and scheduling autonomy. Others, however, welcome the challenge. “I’d love to see Alabama play at the Shoe,” one Auburn fan posted on X. “If we’re gonna talk the talk, let’s walk it too.”

College football coaches are being more cautious in their public responses. Ryan Day, who has often defended Ohio State’s scheduling philosophy, said he hadn’t reviewed the bill in full but likes the concept of more high-level competition. “Our guys want to play the best,” Day said. “Our fans want it too. If this helps level the field nationally, then I think it’s worth looking at.”

The NCAA, predictably, has offered no official stance, though insiders say some administrators are quietly supportive. The College Football Playoff committee, which has long stressed strength of schedule in its selection criteria, might find such a bill helpful in forcing teams to expose themselves to greater risk — and greater reward.

There are logistical hurdles, of course. Scheduling contracts are often agreed upon years in advance, and some athletic departments are hesitant to overhaul carefully balanced home-and-home series. Additionally, not every Power Five team is a perennial powerhouse; some SEC teams might argue that playing Wake Forest or Arizona State doesn’t really boost the difficulty level. But by requiring at least one recent Top 25 opponent, the bill aims to ensure quality over mere affiliation.

And while the bill doesn’t yet have a formal Senate sponsor, several lawmakers from Big Ten states have expressed interest in supporting it. Rep. Caldwell hopes to bring it to the House floor this summer, aligning it with the peak of college football media days to maximize attention.

For Ohio State fans, the news couldn’t come at a better time. Coming off another playoff near-miss and with a roster built to compete for a national title, there’s a renewed hunger in Columbus to prove that the Buckeyes are the team to beat. Caldwell’s bill, if passed, would clear one of the biggest obstacles in that mission: the perception that Big Ten teams have to do more to earn respect than their Southern counterparts.

There’s also a cultural element to this proposal. College football has always been regional, built on rivalries and traditions that don’t always cross state lines. But in an era of superconferences and national media coverage, the sport is increasingly a national product. That product is best served when Ohio State and LSU share a field in September, not just in January. When Clemson is tested in Madison or Eugene. When USC visits Baton Rouge.

The fans want it. The networks want it. The players want it. Now, thanks to one Ohio congressman, there’s a real chance it could happen.

Caldwell has even launched a public petition and a website to gather support, including testimonials from fans, former players, and coaches who believe in the bill’s mission. Buckeye legends like Chris Spielman and Kirk Herbstreit have praised the initiative, with Herbstreit tweeting that it’s “about time we bring accountability and excitement back to scheduling.”

Critics will call it government overreach. Caldwell calls it civic duty. “We regulate a lot of things in the name of fairness,” he said. “This is about the soul of a sport that means everything to millions of Americans.”

Will the bill pass? That remains uncertain. But the conversation it has sparked is already a win for college football — and for Ohio State. In a sport so often resistant to change, one bold voice from Columbus might just be enough to push things forward.

For Ohio State fans, the message is clear: No more hiding. No more cupcakes. No more excuses. If this bill becomes law, Saturdays in the fall will look very different — and much more thrilling.

And Buckeye Nation will be ready.