Ryan Day’s Men Dragged Into Controversy as Northwestern’s Money-Driven Move Against OSU Angers Fans

The novelty of College Football will never wear off. Very few sports have the disparity between opposing teams in terms of sheer magnitude, finances and fanfare. As Northwestern (4-5) hosts the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1) in Week 13, this disparity presented itself in full effect.

The Wildcats are guesting Ryan Day’s Buckeyes at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs in the MLB. This is due to their stadium undergoing renovation work. Since the stadium isn’t poised to open before 2026, Northwestern have been playing their home games at the school’s soccer and lacrosse stadium. However, with the mighty Buckeyes coming to town and a hoard of fans with them, a larger capacity stadium was deemed necessary. 

The decision is being viewed as a money-minded one. As with the chance to host a program of this stature, there was an opportunity to seize it in terms of selling tickets. No prizes for guessing what fans and onlookers made of this. The baseball venue is certainly not an ideal locale for hosting football. Although Northwestern has played at Wrigley Field twice before, the TV broadcast has had a fair few lapses. Naturally, the fans are not happy with this disposition.

Northwestern’s Ryan Field, a 98-year-old fortress for the Wildcats, is undergoing an $800 million renovation. They’ve been temporary tenants at the Sharon and Martin Stadium. Albeit one of the most picturesque stadiums in the land, it has its flaws. The stadium only holds 12,000 inside and is often very windy, sat ashore Lake Michigan. Both are major problems when hosting one of the premier schools in the footballing realm.

With the baseball season now over, the Wildcats could finally schedule games at Wrigley Field. It is seemingly coincidental that the switch was made right before the Ohio State game. However, Buckeyes fans, like most CFB fanbases, are never shy about conspiracy theories. Here are some of the fans’ reactions to the situation on social media-

Huge section of the Buckeyes faithful is not happy with the matter

In the wake of the game’s commencement, fans took to X and voiced their frustrations. One fan didn’t mince his words, saying “Can I ask why the Bucks have to play in a garbage baseball stadium never meant for football, when Northwestern has one of the most beautiful stadiums in the Big Ten? Oh yeah, money. #GoBucks”. Harsh on the iconic Wrigley Field, which doesn’t hold bowl games like other MLB staples such as Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park. 

Another TV spectator complained about the broadcast, saying, “I bet on a Northwestern ‘home’ game at this temporary stadium. About 15% of the plays had a pole blocking the play from camera view”. Lots of people echoed similar concerns of being unable to watch the game when the action is in certain parts of the makeshift gridiron. Speaking of makeshift, another fan said, “The Northwestern stadium is what we call ‘makeshift’😂.How much for a rooftop seat across the street?”. Buckeyes fans certainly pulled up in numbers to cheer on their superstars amid the unique backdrop.

One person took the opportunity to take a jab at the Cleveland Guardians. “For those wondering this is the first game between a team from Ohio and a team from Illinois in a baseball stadium in November since 2016. Northwestern looking to make it 2 in a row for the Chicago teams”. This was in relation to the 2016 World Series Game 7.

While the November 16 matchup isn’t quite as high stakes as that one, the Buckeyes will need to avoid any mishap at this stage of the season.