Ryan Day criticizes the new CFP format despite having led Ohio State to a historic win

Ryan Day Criticizes New CFP Format: A Closer Look

As college football continues to evolve, the most significant change in recent years has been the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) system. From its inception in 2014, the CFP aimed to establish a more inclusive and fair method of determining the national champion. However, as the format undergoes further expansion in 2024, some voices in the sport have begun to express concerns about its impact—none more prominent than Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ryan Day’s criticism of the new CFP format is both timely and significant, especially considering his recent success with the Buckeyes. Under his leadership, Ohio State has consistently been one of the top programs in college football, routinely finishing with one of the highest rankings in the nation and securing playoff spots. Day’s remarks are informed not only by his accomplishments but also by a deep understanding of the sport’s intricacies. Despite leading Ohio State to what many considered a historic win, Day remains wary of the expanded playoff and what it could mean for the future of college football.

Understanding Ryan Day’s Position

Ryan Day has always been a vocal advocate for the players and their well-being. Throughout his tenure at Ohio State, he has consistently emphasized the importance of balancing the competitive nature of college football with the health and safety of student-athletes. In light of this, his criticism of the new CFP format reflects concerns that the expansion could place additional stress on players and could further emphasize the imbalance between teams with substantial resources and those without.

In essence, Day is worried about the effects of adding more playoff teams, particularly the potential for increased injuries and the impact on player fatigue. There’s no doubt that college football is already a grueling sport, with a demanding schedule and high stakes. Day’s argument revolves around the idea that expanding the playoff format will force teams to play more games, which could be detrimental to both player health and the overall quality of play. It’s a concern that resonates across the sport, particularly as players are already required to balance their athletic commitments with academics and personal lives.

Additionally, Day’s criticism also stems from the changing landscape of college football. With the influx of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, the transfer portal, and ever-increasing television deals, the sport is becoming increasingly commercialized. Day’s concerns reflect his broader view that college football may be losing its traditional college atmosphere, with a growing emphasis on money and television ratings rather than on the student-athletes and the competitive integrity of the game itself.

The Historic Win Under Day’s Leadership

Before diving deeper into Day’s critiques, it’s important to understand the context of Ohio State’s recent success under his leadership. The Buckeyes have been an absolute powerhouse under Ryan Day, consistently competing for national championships and reaching the CFP every year since he took over as head coach in 2019. The most notable achievement came in 2024 when Ohio State delivered one of the most impressive performances in CFP history.

In a year where expectations were high, Ohio State not only secured a playoff spot but made it all the way to the national championship game. The Buckeyes faced a formidable opponent in the final, a team that had been widely regarded as one of the best in recent memory. Despite this, Day’s coaching acumen, strategic brilliance, and the extraordinary talent on his roster allowed Ohio State to secure a dominant win. This historic victory not only cemented Day’s place in Ohio State’s storied coaching legacy but also proved that the Buckeyes could thrive in the high-stakes environment of the CFP.

However, despite this incredible achievement, Day’s criticism of the CFP format reveals his recognition that even the most successful programs have concerns about the evolving landscape of college football. The 2024 win was undoubtedly a milestone for Ohio State, but it also highlighted the delicate balance that coaches like Day must strike between building competitive teams and managing the physical and mental demands placed on their athletes.

The Push for Expansion: Benefits and Drawbacks

The College Football Playoff was introduced in 2014 as a way to determine a national champion more fairly than the previous BCS (Bowl Championship Series) system. Initially, the CFP consisted of four teams, with the top four teams in the country selected for a semifinal round, culminating in the national championship game. However, starting in 2024, the CFP will expand to 12 teams, with the top six conference champions guaranteed a spot, and the remaining six slots filled by at-large teams.

Proponents of the expanded format argue that it will provide more teams with a chance to compete for the national title and add excitement to the postseason. The increase in the number of teams involved also has the potential to create more opportunities for underdog programs, which could elevate the level of competition and make the entire postseason more dynamic. The idea is that more teams will have the chance to compete for the title, and every game will matter more in the lead-up to the postseason.

However, Ryan Day’s criticism focuses on the unintended consequences of this expansion. One of his primary concerns is the added physical toll on players. With a 12-team playoff, teams will have to play at least one additional game, and in some cases, more depending on their seeding and performance. Day worries that this added strain will be felt particularly by teams that already face difficult regular seasons in power conferences, such as the Big Ten. In his view, the increased number of games will result in player fatigue, a higher risk of injury, and potentially lower-quality play as teams are forced to manage additional playoff rounds on top of their regular-season schedules.

Additionally, Day’s concerns touch on the potential dilution of the regular-season games. One of the enduring aspects of college football has been the importance of each regular-season game. For the most part, teams that perform well in the regular season have earned their place in the postseason. However, with more teams involved in the playoff, Day fears that the regular season could lose some of its significance. A team that may have struggled during the regular season could still make the playoffs, potentially undermining the value of the conference championships and other important games.

The Impact on Player Health and Well-Being

One of the most pressing issues that Ryan Day raises in his criticism of the expanded CFP is player health and well-being. College football is an intense, high-contact sport that already places significant physical and mental demands on its players. The prospect of adding more playoff games could exacerbate these challenges, particularly for student-athletes who are already juggling intense training schedules, travel commitments, and academic responsibilities.

Day’s concerns are not unfounded. There is a growing body of research that highlights the long-term effects of repeated concussions and injuries sustained during football games. With more playoff games, teams may be forced to field players who are not fully healthy, increasing the likelihood of injury. Moreover, the increased number of games could lead to more fatigue and burnout, potentially reducing the quality of play as the postseason progresses.

The pressure on student-athletes to perform at their highest level for an extended period of time could also take a toll on their mental health. The demands of a longer playoff, combined with the expectations to succeed, could contribute to higher stress levels, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

Ryan Day’s criticism highlights a crucial issue: college football is not just about wins and losses, but about the holistic development and well-being of the student-athletes who compete in it. Day has been a proponent of player safety and mental health awareness, and his concerns about the expanded playoff format reflect his desire to protect the future of the game and its players.