Ryan Day: Big Ten Deserves 4 CFP Spots

Ryan Day Pushes for Big Ten Dominance: Four automatic Bids in Expanded CFP

Columbus, Ohio – Following Ohio State’s triumphant run as an at-large selection in the 2024 College Football Playoff, culminating in a national championship, Head Coach Ryan Day is advocating for significant changes in the CFP structure.

Day is specifically pushing for the expanded Big Ten to receive at least four automatic qualifying spots in the future College Football Playoff model. This proposal emerges as college football leaders begin discussions on the next iteration of the CFP, set to launch with the 2026 season.

The Pushback Against Automatic Qualifying Spots

Recent weeks have seen increasing opposition to models that would guarantee a high number of automatic bids for power conferences like the Big Ten and SEC.

During the SEC spring meetings, support coalesced around a “5+11” model, granting automatic entry to the top five conference champions and reserving 11 at-large spots in a hypothetical 16-team playoff.Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has also publicly backed the 5+11 CFP structure.

Big Ten’s Stance: Four Bids or Bust?

While the Big Ten hasn’t formally endorsed a particular playoff format, discussions have centered on a model guaranteeing four slots each for the Big Ten and SEC, two each for the Big 12 and ACC, and one for the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion. That plan did not find universal support.

“We’re in the Big Ten, and we have 18 teams and some of the best programs in the country,” Day asserted. “I feel like we deserve at least four automatic qualifiers.”

Ohio State Coach Ryan Day argues that the Big Ten deserves at least four automatic qualifiers in the expanded College Football Playoff. John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Impact of Expansion and Scheduling Disparities

Day emphasized that the Big Ten’s recent expansion, incorporating powerhouses like Oregon and Washington, strengthens the argument for increased representation. Notably, these two universities were the only teams from the Pac-12 to feature in the four-team CFP and compete for national titles.

He stated that a CFP structure featuring more automatic bids would incentivize teams to pursue more challenging non-conference schedules, notably given the existing imbalances in conference scheduling models.

Currently, Big Ten and Big 12 teams play nine conference games annually, while SEC and ACC teams play eight.

Ohio State is slated to kick off the 2025 season by hosting Texas, the SEC runner-up from last year, marking a high-profile non-conference matchup.The Buckeyes previously defeated the Longhorns in a CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.

“If you don’t have those automatic qualifiers, you’re less likely to play a game like we’re playing this year against Texas, because it just won’t make sense,” Day explained. “If we do, then you’re more likely to do that, as we play nine conference games in the Big Ten. The SEC doesn’t. So it’s not equal.”

Roster Concerns Amidst Playoff Expansion

Both Ohio State and national runner-up Notre Dame played 16 games during the 2024 season. Day expressed concerns that the potential move to a 105-man roster limit, resulting from the House-NCAA settlement, could pose challenges for navigating an extended playoff schedule.

“I’m concerned about 16 or 17 games with a 105-man roster,” Day remarked. “With 120, it’s about maxed out. you have to stay healthy, and all it takes are a couple injuries during that long of a run. But in the NFL, you can hire somebody off of waivers. In college football, you can’t. I’m concerned about the length of the season with 105.”

CFP Model Proposals

model	Automatic Bids	At-Large bids
5+11	Top 5 Conference Champions	11
Big Ten Proposal	4 (Big Ten), 4 (SEC), 2 (Big 12), 2 (ACC), 1 (Group of 5)	3

The Evolution of the College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff has undergone significant transformations sence its inception in 2014. Initially a four-team invitational, the CFP expanded to twelve teams in 2024, granting more access to conference champions and highly-ranked at-large teams.

The ongoing debate surrounding automatic qualifiers highlights the tension between rewarding conference success and ensuring representation for the best teams nationwide. The upcoming discussions for the 2026 season model promise continued evolution and potential shifts in the landscape of college football.

Frequently Asked Questions about the College Football Playoff

What do you think about Ryan Day’s proposal? Should the big Ten receive four automatic bids? Share yoru thoughts in the comments below!

Given the historical performance of Big Ten teams, what are the potential drawbacks of expanding the CFP to include more teams from, say, the Big Ten, in terms of overall competitive balance within the entire college football landscape?

Ryan Day: big Ten Deserves 4 CFP Spots – The Case for Conference Dominance

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan day has been a vocal advocate for the Big Ten receiving a larger share of the College Football Playoff (CFP) spots. His argument, backed by the conference’s recent performance and depth of talent, highlights the evolving landscape of college football. With CFP expansion on the horizon, Day’s perspective provides a critical look at a potential new reality.Understanding the rationale behind Day’s stance is crucial for fans and analysts assessing the future of the sport.

The Primary Arguments Supporting Big Ten’s CFP Representation

Ryan Day’s position isn’t simply based on conjecture; it is rooted in measurable factors. He and other Big Ten leaders argue that the conference’s overall strength, combined with the difficulty of the conference schedule, should translate to a larger representation in the postseason. Key arguments include:

• Conference dominance: The big Ten’s consistent presence among the top teams in college football.
• Strength of Schedule: The rigorous in-conference and out-of-conference schedules that Big Ten teams face.
• depth of Talent: The numerous highly ranked teams and individual players within the conference.

Analyzing Big Ten Championship Contenders and Their Impact

The presence of multiple elite programs elevates the entire conference. Teams such as Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and others consistently vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff illustrate the conference’s strength. The Big Ten Championship game has become a must-see event, often featuring two top-ten teams. The impact of these championship contenders is twofold:

1. Prestige and Exposure: Increased national attention and recruiting benefits for the entire conference.
2. Competitive Balance: The continued competitiveness strengthens the programs as each team vies for a spot in the playoffs.

The Big Ten has produced several CFP participants and national championship contenders in recent years, further illustrating the conference’s dominance. The ability for more than one team to enter the Playoff would lead to a greater possibility for championship contenders such as the Ohio State Buckeyes, to rise in the Playoff standings.

How CFP Expansion Could Favor the Big Ten

The upcoming CFP expansion offers a significant chance for the Big Ten. Day and his supporters argue that increasing the number of playoff teams will fairly recognize the conference’s overall strength.With an expanded field,more deserving teams get a chance to compete for a national championship. This increase in playoff spots will allow:

• More Representation: More Big Ten teams can access the Playoff, even if they don’t win the conference championship.
• Reward for Consistency: Consistently ranked teams throughout the season should be rewarded with Playoff consideration.
• More Exciting Matchups: Greater variety and more compelling matchups in the playoff brackets.

Historical Performance and Data Points: Big Ten’s CFP Track Record

Historical performance supports the claim that the Big Ten is worthy of multiple CFP spots. Analyzing past seasons reveals that several Big Ten teams in different years met the criteria for a playoff berth but where shut out as of limited availability. The following table illustrates this:

Year	Big Ten Champion	Playoff Ranking	Other Top Big Ten Teams	Potential Playoff Status (if expansion existed)
2022	Michigan	2nd	Ohio State (3rd)	Both Teams
2021	Michigan	1st	–	Qualified with expansion
2020	Ohio state	3rd	–	Qualified
2019	Ohio State	3rd	–	Qualified if expansion

These examples demonstrate that, with a four-team, eight-team, and even twelve-team format, a chance remains open for more Big Ten teams to qualify. This historical data reinforces Ryan Day’s stance that greater representation is justified.

The Implications for Recruiting and Conference growth

The possibility of more Big Ten teams in the College Football Playoff translates to several benefits for the conference. Enhanced exposure is a powerful recruiting tool for attracting top talent. The conference’s overall strength and prestige elevates,creating a positive cycle of improved player acquisition and performance. With increased Playoff opportunities, the conference gains further clout and can expand the reach of its brand.

Practical Tips for Big Ten Teams to Maximize Postseason Opportunities

Even with increased Playoff spots, Big Ten teams must adopt strategies to maximize their chances of success. Here are the key points:

1. Non-Conference Scheduling: Schedule tough but winnable non-conference games to boost the strength of schedule.
2. Recruiting: Emphasize recruiting, and recruit the best talent in the country.
3. Coaching consistency: Hire and retain top coaching talent to develop players at the highest level.

by focusing on these areas, programs can position themselves for success, nonetheless of the Playoff’s exact structure.