According to a friend who scours the web and is a big OSU fan, Chris Holtman told a booster group recently that he'd like to play as many as 3 Ohio schools every year. Presumably, at least one would come from the Cinci/X/Dayton triumvirate, with the others coming from the MAC and Horizon League.
They could really use it from a fan interest standpoint. Dayton and X are basketball schools but OSU is a football school where fans are fickle if not in the Top 10.
Against good name schools like UC, X, Dayton, OU/Akron/Kent etc. I would think that OSU student interest might be stronger than non-conference games against schools with no regional connection. But the general population of Columbus and/or those willing to travel to The Schott who are fans/alumni of these schools could also buy a lot of tickets as the chance of a victory over the Buckeyes is a lot greater in hoops than football.
The attendance for games against these schools should be a lot greater than say a slate featuring St. Peters, UTEP, Utah Valley State and Alabama A&M.
Still would love to see some kind of "Capital Classic" doubleheader at Nationwide Arena or even The Schott, featuring 4 Ohio teams. I'd like to think Ohio playing say X/Dayton at Nationwide could very well have a lot of green in the seats. Columbus has the highest volume of Ohio Alumni bar none-yes?
I can certainly see the risk involved though, too of an underwhelming turnout if the opponent was not right. Did anyone on here go the game against UC at the Q in Cleveland in I believe 2006? Did that have a good Ohio showing?