Ohio State’s Ryan Day Reflects on Expanded College Football Playoff and Buckeyes’ Journey
Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, has been vocal about the impact of the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) on his team’s performance this season. As the Buckeyes prepare for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Texas Longhorns on January 10, with a coveted spot in the national championship at stake, Day shared his thoughts on how the new format has allowed Ohio State to “peak” at the right time.
The Buckeyes have been on a roll, decisively defeating both the Tennessee Volunteers and the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the first two playoff games. The combined margin of victory in these games was an impressive 45 points. In the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, Ohio State led Oregon 34-0 late in the second quarter, showcasing their dominance on the field.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Day stated, “I think we’ve learned a lot about our team. I think we’ve grown a lot as a team and we’re banking on this to be our best football this season.” Despite a surprising loss to their arch-rival, the Michigan Wolverines, in the last game of the regular season, which marked their fourth consecutive defeat against Michigan, the Buckeyes have bounced back. They entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed but are now five-point favorites over Texas, according to ESPN BET.
The Texas Longhorns, seeded fifth, had their own dramatic journey, surviving a nail-biting double-overtime victory against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, with a final score of 39-31.
Ohio State’s offensive prowess was on full display against Oregon, where they averaged 8.8 yards per play, the third-most in Rose Bowl history, as per ESPN Research. Day praised his players, saying, “You can see the passion. And I think the way that this format is and the way the playoffs are set now, it allows us an opportunity to grow as a team and to learn and to get better late in the season.”
Day likened the Buckeyes’ current run to that of a wildcard team making a deep run in the NFL playoffs. He explained, “I did feel like if we could get a good win in the first game, we could build momentum. Now it’s our job to keep momentum. We have it right now, but that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t keep it.”
As the Buckeyes gear up for their clash with Texas, Day emphasized the importance of focusing on the present. “The Oregon game is over…. The only thing that matters is this game right here, playing against Texas,” he said.
- Ohio State’s journey in the expanded CFP has been remarkable, with significant victories over Tennessee and Oregon.
- Ryan Day believes the new playoff format has allowed the team to peak at the right time.
- The Buckeyes are favorites against Texas, despite entering the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.
- Ohio State’s offensive performance against Oregon was historic, averaging 8.8 yards per play.
- Day compares the Buckeyes’ playoff run to an NFL wildcard team making a deep postseason run.
As the anticipation builds for the Cotton Bowl Classic, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Ohio State can maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the national championship. The expanded CFP has certainly added an exciting dimension to this college football season, and the Buckeyes are making the most of it.
Originally Written by: Jake Trotter
