Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans, mark your calendars for September 28, as the Buckeyes’ Big Ten opener will be a little different this year. The primetime matchup against Michigan State will kick off at 7 p.m. and air exclusively on NBC’s streaming platform, Peacock. This isn’t the first time Buckeye Nation will have to stream their team, as Ohio State cruised to a 41-7 win over Purdue in a Peacock-exclusive game last season. As part of the Big Ten’s new $7 billion media rights deal, streaming has become more common, with nine conference games this season available only on Peacock.
The Spartans, now led by new head coach Jonathan Smith, are off to a surprising 3-0 start in 2024, including a narrow 27-24 win over Maryland for Smith’s first Big Ten victory. Before facing Ohio State, Michigan State will take on Boston College in Week 4.
While Michigan State might be riding some early momentum, Ohio State has owned this rivalry. The Buckeyes hold a commanding 37-15 all-time record against the Spartans and are currently on an eight-game winning streak in the series. In fact, each of Ohio State’s last seven wins over Michigan State has come by at least 20 points, including last year’s 38-3 beatdown in East Lansing. The Spartans last beat Ohio State in 2015, but it doesn’t feel like that’s happening again anytime soon.
Though Michigan State enters this showdown with a perfect record, they’ve got more challenges to overcome, including possible injuries to key players. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes, ranked No. 3 in the nation, have looked strong so far, handling non-conference opponents Akron and Western Michigan with ease. Ohio State will be looking to continue its dominance over Michigan State and make a statement as Big Ten play heats up.
For fans, the game’s exclusivity on Peacock highlights a growing trend in sports broadcasting. Streaming platforms like Peacock are becoming a bigger part of how we watch college football, offering a range of subscription options for viewers, such as Peacock Premium for $8 per month (with ads) and Peacock Premium Plus for $14 per month (mostly ad-free). It’s clear NBC and the Big Ten are betting on streaming as the future of sports viewership, giving fans more flexibility in how they catch the action.
Beyond college football, Peacock also offers other sports programming, including Sunday Night Football, Big Ten Basketball, Notre Dame Football, Premier League, and the Olympic Games. It’s a new era of accessibility, and while some fans might prefer traditional TV, there’s no denying the convenience and reach of streaming services.
So, Buckeye fans, get your Peacock subscriptions ready and prepare for another dominant performance as Ohio State takes on Michigan State in what could be a defining early-season matchup.
