In the span of over a month and a half, Ryan Day went from one of the most hated men in Columbus to one of the most celebrated. His Ohio State Buckeyes are on the verge of a national championship, and the College Football Playoff expansion is the biggest reason why.
Ryan Day Reflects On Success Of College Football Playoff in Opening National Championship Remarks
“Yeah, very, very grateful. I think everybody in this program is grateful to be in this situation. For a lot of reasons.”
That’s what Ryan Day said about the College Football Playoff during a recent press conference. It’s hard to believe that on the Saturday after Thanksgiving he would be saying this with relative joy on his face.
It was the annual rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State. The Buckeyes were looking to get into the Big Ten Championship Game, while the Wolverines were aiming to salvage a disappointing season as the defending national champions. In all honesty, it was the Buckeyes’ worst performance of the season.
Day was outcoached. His team was outplayed. The whole country witnessed it. Michigan came away with a stunning victory. They planted their flag at midfield, or at least tried to, much to the dismay of a stunned head coach as he watched the drama unfold at the 50-yard line.
In the days that followed, many in the local and national media called for his job. Most said he was unfit for the position. Many others were shocked at his coaching decisions, or lack thereof. Others said he was born on third base and couldn’t find a way to touch home plate.
But what lay ahead for Day and the Buckeyes was a lifeline, an expanded CFP, and another chance to get his program and his reputation back on track
Taking Advantage of the Opportunity
In the first round of the CFP, the Buckeyes hosted the Tennessee Volunteers, a team with an explosive offense and one of the best defenses in the SEC. The mood was somber inside the Horseshoe as the stadium as Rocky Top rang throughout the crowd as a sea of orange invaded the stands. However, that was the only high the Volunteers would have that night.
The Buckeyes came out with a vengeance, scoring on their first three possessions and not looking back. The defense was even better, holding Tennessee to 256 total yards en route to a 42-17 romp. Will Howard had a redemption game, going 24-29 for 311 yards and two scores, and the nation was introduced to Jeremiah Smith, who had 103 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
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Up next was another shot at redemption against the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl, one of the two teams to hand them a loss this season.
Much like their game against Tennessee, Ohio State started fast, jumping out to a 34-0 lead and not holding back in a 41-21 victory. Howard was stellar again, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith continued to get better, with 187 yards and two scores, while TreVeyon Henderson added 96 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just eight carries.
The semifinal from the Cotton Bowl featured the Buckeyes and a somewhat unfamiliar foe, the Texas Longhorns. For the first time in the postseason, they were tested. After starting fast again, the two traded punches, taking a tie game into the fourth quarter.
Quinshon Judkins got his second touchdown of the day to break the 14-14 tie. Then the heart and soul of the Buckeyes, Jack Sawyer, picked up a fumble and took it 83 yards for the nail in the coffin of a 28-14 win.
Ohio State is now back in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game for the first time since 2021, and they are looking for their first title since 2014. All the worries after the disappointment against Michigan have all but faded.
Playing the Long Game
Lost in all the discussion about the Buckeyes’ run to the title game has been how smart Day and company have played the season. His “20 million dollars” roster is stacked with talent, most of whom will be playing on Sundays. What he didn’t do was wear them out throughout the course of the year, even if it cost the Buckeyes a game or two.
“Along the way we looked at a lot of different things metrics about playing this many games. Playing our 16th game and what that was going to be like. We knew it was going to be a little battle of attrition at times. So, depth was a critical part of our roster management and talent acquisition. But also how we practice and how we play.”
Looking at the numbers, Judkins and Henderson shared the bulk of the carries, with neither wearing out during the course of the year. Each is just shy of 1000 yards rushing on the year, and each has over 10 touchdowns. Howard has done a good job of distributing the ball with seven guys with 20 catches or more.
Their depth is certainly felt on the defensive side. 15 different Buckeyes have at least 20 tackles. 15 guys also contributed to the team’s 51 sacks on the year. Also, the team high in interceptions is shared, with players snagging two picks.
Expansion is Good for Everyone
The expansion of the CFP has undoubtedly brought new opportunities for several different teams. In the previous format, SMU, Indiana, Arizona State, Boise State, Tennessee, or Clemson would not have had a shot at getting into the top four. But Ohio State was the biggest beneficiary.
The Buckeyes lost to the eventual Big Ten champion. Their next loss came to a team that finished the regular season at 7-5. A 10-2 record without a spot in your own league’s title game would have been the death nail in any other scenario. But not in 2024.
“I do think the new format has allowed our team to grow and build throughout the season. As much as losses hurt, they really allow us coaches and players to take a hard look at the issues and get them addressed.”
Day and Ohio State have certainly done that in a big way. A new CFP has brought about one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory and the best opportunity for a coach who was on the hot seat at the end of the regular season.
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