College Football Mailbag: Ohio State’s Ryan Day ‘third base’ story and CFP expansion

The world of college football never slows down. From recruiting news to conference realignments, and of course, the highs and lows of each season, the sport is constantly evolving. As fans, analysts, and coaches alike turn their attention to the future, some stories captivate our attention more than others. In this edition of the College Football Mailbag, we tackle some of the most pressing questions about Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, his infamous “third base” story, and the College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion—a topic that continues to spark debate among fans and experts.

As always, we dig into the most intriguing aspects of the college football landscape, bringing you thoughtful insights and analysis that will help you make sense of it all. So let’s dive into the mailbag and tackle these hot topics head-on.

1. Ryan Day’s ‘Third Base’ Story: What Does it Mean for Ohio State Football?

Question: What’s the deal with Ryan Day’s “third base” story? How did it impact Ohio State’s recruiting or public perception?

For those who may have missed it, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day made headlines recently for a comment he made about his role in recruiting. During a press conference, Day used a metaphor that caught a lot of attention. Speaking about how he views his role in helping Ohio State land top recruits, Day said, “I feel like I’m at third base with a lot of these recruits.”

Now, for anyone unfamiliar with the metaphor, being “at third base” in the context of recruiting implies that Day and his staff have already put in the work to get a recruit seriously interested in Ohio State. The implication is that they are very close to securing the recruit’s commitment, but they still have some final steps to take before the proverbial “home run” is hit—the commitment.

The comment quickly made its rounds on social media, and while some found it amusing and relatable, others took it as a curious choice of words—given the often high-stakes, sometimes cutthroat nature of college football recruiting. The metaphor had a mix of reactions, ranging from amusement to concern about how recruits, parents, or even opposing coaches might interpret it.

How It Impacted Ohio State Football:

In the immediate aftermath, Ohio State fans seemed to have a laugh at the metaphor. After all, Ryan Day has earned the benefit of the doubt after leading the Buckeyes to multiple College Football Playoff appearances and consistently pulling in top recruiting classes. The metaphor seemed to be a casual, offhand remark about how Day views his recruiting strategy—one that has proven very successful, as Ohio State consistently finishes near the top of recruiting rankings.

However, critics were quick to point out that the analogy could potentially be seen as overly simplistic or even off-putting. Recruiting is a high-pressure business where every word from a coach can be scrutinized, and for some, the comment may have given off the impression that securing a recruit’s commitment was merely a matter of “getting to third base” before sealing the deal. This kind of metaphor may trivialize the actual hard work and relationship-building that goes into each recruitment, not to mention the complex factors that influence a young athlete’s decision.

Interestingly, though, there has been little tangible backlash or long-term fallout from the comment. Ohio State continues to recruit at a high level under Ryan Day, and his program has developed a strong culture of success, making Day’s words largely a non-issue. If anything, the comment helped humanize Day a little bit, showing that he, too, can joke around and relate to the intense nature of recruiting.

What this “third base” comment ultimately highlights is the pressure Ohio State is under to not only win games but also win recruiting battles against rival programs like Alabama, Clemson, and Michigan. These programs are constantly competing for top-tier recruits, and comments like these provide an interesting peek behind the curtain of the recruiting world.

2. CFP Expansion: What’s the Future of the College Football Playoff?

Question: With the College Football Playoff expansion on the horizon, what impact will this have on the landscape of college football?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has been a topic of much discussion ever since its inception. For many years, the system was criticized for its exclusionary nature, with only four teams earning the chance to compete for a national championship. While it has undoubtedly added excitement to the sport, the 4-team format has left many programs and fan bases feeling excluded, especially given the competitive nature of college football.

However, the CFP expansion is on the way. Starting in 2024, the playoff will expand to 12 teams, allowing more programs an opportunity to compete for a national title. The change is expected to have a profound impact on the structure of college football, with teams now having a better chance to make the playoff and fans experiencing more excitement and drama as the tournament unfolds.

Let’s break down the anticipated effects of the CFP expansion on the sport and how it might affect programs like Ohio State.

More Teams, More Opportunities:

The most immediate impact of the 12-team expansion is the fact that more teams will have the opportunity to compete for a national championship. Instead of only four teams being eligible for the playoff, 12 teams will now get the chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage.

For programs like Ohio State, who consistently field elite teams, the expansion means that they will still have a strong chance to make the playoff year in and year out. But it also means that there will be more “upsets” or surprises, as teams who may have been on the outside looking in can now make a late-season run and potentially challenge the traditional powers like Ohio State.

This is especially important for programs that have had solid seasons but might not have received the same national attention as the top-tier teams. Under the old system, teams with one or two losses were often left out of the playoff. Now, with 12 teams, there will be more room for those teams to earn a spot, which should lead to more excitement and parity in the sport.

Impact on Ohio State’s Path to the Playoff:

As one of the top programs in the country, Ohio State is in a great position under the 12-team playoff system. The Buckeyes are almost certainly going to make the expanded playoff on a regular basis, barring any significant down years. But there are several important factors to consider regarding how the playoff expansion could impact Ohio State’s path to a national title.

• Increased Competition: With more teams getting in, Ohio State will have to face an even larger pool of talented teams in the playoffs. Teams from conferences like the SEC, Big 12, and Pac-12 will be part of the playoff picture, and the Buckeyes will have to be at their best in order to make it to the national championship game.
• First-Round Games: One of the key changes to the playoff format is that the top four teams will receive a first-round bye, while teams ranked 5 through 12 will play each other in the first round. This adds another layer of complexity to the road to a national title, as Ohio State will need to perform well in the regular season to secure a top-four seed.
• Less Pressure on the Regular Season: In the old system, Ohio State could have had one slip-up during the regular season, and it could have cost them a chance at the playoff. Now, with more teams making the field, there’s less margin for error, but Ohio State won’t necessarily be on the verge of elimination after a single loss. However, they’ll still want to make sure they’re playing their best ball heading into the playoff.
• Impact on Recruiting and Scheduling: The expansion is likely to further fuel the arms race in recruiting and scheduling. Ohio State, with its national brand and ample resources, will be even more incentivized to schedule tough non-conference games and continue to bring in elite talent. The increased opportunities for playoff contention will push other programs to do the same in order to have a shot at the expanded playoff.

Broader Implications for the Sport:

Beyond Ohio State, the expanded CFP will have far-reaching effects on the sport of college football as a whole. For one, it’s expected to bring a greater sense of fairness to the postseason. Powerhouse teams like Alabama and Ohio State have long had the ability to secure a spot in the four-team playoff, but now mid-tier teams from conferences like the AAC, Mountain West, and Conference USA will have a better chance of making the field. This could lead to more unpredictability and excitement, with underdog teams having a legitimate shot at making a playoff run.

Additionally, the expansion will likely impact television contracts, fan engagement, and the way the sport is marketed. With more teams involved, there will be more games to watch, more upsets to anticipate, and more storylines for fans to follow.

The added pressure to schedule tougher opponents will likely raise the overall level of competition in college football, leading to more compelling matchups and an even more exciting postseason.

3. Ryan Day and Ohio State’s Future in the Expanding CFP Era

Question: How will Ryan Day and Ohio State adjust to the new 12-team playoff format, and will they remain a national powerhouse?

As one of the top teams in the country, Ohio State is well-positioned to succeed in the expanded College Football Playoff. Under Ryan Day’s leadership, the program has consistently attracted top talent, and the success of his offenses, in particular, has been well-documented.

The expanded playoff creates a more inclusive environment, but it also introduces a new set of challenges. The increase in competition could make it tougher for Ohio State to emerge as a national champion, especially given the high level of talent that will be included in the expanded field. Nevertheless, Ohio State’s success in recruiting, their ability to play at the highest level, and the presence of a coach as skilled as Ryan Day suggest that they will continue to be a force to reckon with in the new playoff format.

In the end, the expanded playoff opens up a new chapter in college football, and it could be a game-changer for programs like Ohio State that consistently find themselves in the mix for national titles. With Day at the helm, the Buckeyes’ future looks as bright as ever.