Playoff expansion gives Ohio State a clearer path to multiple national titles, intensifying expectations and raising the stakes in Columbus.
The winds of change are blowing through college football, and nowhere are they felt more keenly than in Columbus, Ohio. With the long-anticipated expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) set to take effect this fall, the stakes—and opportunities—have shifted dramatically for perennial powerhouse Ohio State. What was once a narrow, high-stakes gateway to national glory has become a broader road, one that could allow the Buckeyes not only to return to prominence but to dominate in a new championship era.
For Ohio State fans and leadership alike, the 12-team playoff is more than just a structural change—it’s a calculated advantage. A program built on consistency, elite recruiting, and a championship-or-bust mindset now faces a postseason landscape that rewards depth, development, and sustained excellence over singular perfection. And with a roster loaded with NFL-caliber talent and one of the most stable infrastructures in the sport, the Buckeyes appear poised to thrive.
From Exclusive to Inclusive: The Shift in the CFP Model
Since the inception of the four-team playoff in 2014, Ohio State has both benefited and suffered from its razor-thin margin for error. The Buckeyes famously won the inaugural CFP title behind third-string quarterback Cardale Jones, but in the years since, they’ve been snubbed in controversial fashion multiple times. Despite regular season dominance, late losses or schedule strength concerns occasionally kept them out of the top four.
The new 12-team format offers automatic bids to the six highest-ranked conference champions, with the remaining six spots filled by at-large teams. This significantly increases the odds for a program like Ohio State, which has both the talent to compete with anyone and the brand to remain ranked highly even after a slip-up.
“This changes everything,” said former Ohio State quarterback and current analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “Ohio State doesn’t have to be perfect every week. They just have to be great when it matters most.”
Recruiting Edge: More Paths, More Pitch Power
Ohio State’s recruiting operation is already among the nation’s elite, consistently landing top-5 classes with a pipeline to the NFL. But now, head coach Ryan Day and his staff have a new selling point: an enhanced likelihood of playing for a national title.
“In the old system, one bad Saturday could end your season,” said Mark Pantoni, Ohio State’s Director of Player Personnel. “Now, guys know they’ll have a legitimate shot at the playoff almost every year if they come here.”
That message is resonating. Ohio State has surged early in the 2026 recruiting cycle, landing top prospects like five-star quarterback Julian Blake and elite wide receiver Jayden Scott. For players dreaming of the big stage, the Buckeyes offer a nearly guaranteed ticket.
Depth Matters: How Ohio State’s Roster Construction Will Benefit
Unlike teams that rely heavily on a small core of superstars, Ohio State builds deep, NFL-ready units across the board. That approach is particularly suited to the rigors of an expanded playoff format, which will now require up to four postseason games to win it all.
“You need two starting-caliber offensive lines,” said offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. “You need five corners who can play man coverage. That’s what we recruit for—and it’s why we’re built for this.”
Ohio State’s 2025 roster reflects that philosophy. At quarterback, five-star sophomore Tavien St. Clair is backed by senior Devin Brown, giving the Buckeyes security and explosiveness. The running back room, anchored by TreVeyon Henderson and Dallan Hayden, is one of the deepest in the country. And the receiving corps—led by Carnell Tate, Jeremiah Smith, and Brandon Inniss—is arguably the best in the nation.
On defense, five returning starters up front and a veteran secondary give Ohio State both firepower and flexibility, a necessity in the new playoff landscape.
Ryan Day’s Redemption Window Opens Wider
Perhaps no one stands to benefit more from the playoff changes than Ryan Day. Despite a stellar record (56–8) and multiple CFP appearances, Day has faced mounting pressure following three straight losses to Michigan and two seasons without a Big Ten title.
With the new format, Day has a broader runway to prove his program’s elite status. Even a second-place Big Ten finish would likely earn a playoff spot, giving the Buckeyes more chances to right the ship in December and January.
“This takes some of the ‘one-game-or-bust’ pressure off Ryan,” said former OSU linebacker Bobby Carpenter. “Now he can guide this team to a national title even if Michigan gets them in November.”
Still, the stakes remain high. Day knows that expanded access comes with higher expectations—not just to make the playoff, but to win it.
“We’ve talked a lot about how this changes things,” Day said this spring. “Our goals haven’t changed. We still want to beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and win a national championship. But now, the road to that title gives us more opportunities—and we intend to capitalize.”
Michigan, the Big Ten, and New Conference Realities
The Big Ten’s expansion to include USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington adds new layers of intrigue. The 2025 schedule sees Ohio State hosting Oregon and traveling to Penn State, while also facing revamped versions of UCLA and Wisconsin. It’s a gauntlet, but it could also yield battle-tested readiness for the playoff push.
In a conference that could routinely put three or four teams in the playoff, Ohio State’s positioning is critical. A 10–2 season might have ended in disappointment a few years ago. Now, it could spark a title run.
Rival Michigan has its own questions under new coach Sherrone Moore, and while the Wolverines remain dangerous, their transition gives Ohio State a perceived edge. Combine that with USC’s defensive concerns, Washington’s post-DeBoer uncertainty, and Oregon’s quarterback overhaul, and the Buckeyes may find themselves favored to win the conference—and more.
Financial Windfall, Brand Elevation
Off the field, Ohio State stands to benefit enormously from the expanded playoff. More games mean more exposure, more revenue, and more opportunities to strengthen the Buckeye brand nationally.
Gene Smith, the outgoing athletic director, emphasized how the playoff expansion supports Ohio State’s long-term mission.
“This gives us a platform to showcase our athletes, our program, and our university on the biggest stage—potentially every year,” Smith said. “It’s transformational.”
The financial benefits could also help with NIL funding and infrastructure growth, ensuring that Ohio State remains competitive in every aspect of modern college football.
The Path Forward: 2025 and Beyond
Looking ahead, Ohio State appears to be one of the biggest winners in this new era. Few programs can claim the combination of talent, tradition, resources, and leadership that the Buckeyes possess. And with playoff access more attainable, every season becomes a realistic chase for the ultimate prize.
“We always prepare like we’re going to win a national championship,” said linebacker C.J. Hicks. “Now we might get more chances to prove it.”
That mindset is echoed throughout the program. In weight rooms, meeting rooms, and recruiting visits, the expanded playoff is treated not as an excuse, but as a catalyst.
Final Thoughts: Pressure with Promise
As the 2025 season approaches, Ohio State enters with something rare in college football—simultaneous pressure and promise. The pressure to finally reclaim the Big Ten crown and beat Michigan. The pressure to win in the postseason. The pressure to turn elite recruiting into championships.
But with the new playoff format, that pressure is now accompanied by unprecedented opportunity. A single loss no longer spells doom. An injury doesn’t necessarily derail a title chase. Teams like Ohio State—who reload instead of rebuild—can now dream of dynasties, not just redemption.
The path to glory is wider. The Buckeyes are ready to sprint down it.
