Ross Bjork’s position on the expansion of the College Football Playoffs as an Ohio State AD

Ross Bjork’s Position on the Expansion of the College Football Playoff as an Ohio State Athletic Director

The expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) has been one of the most discussed and debated topics in college football over the past few years. While fans, coaches, and players have expressed differing opinions on how the playoff should evolve, one thing is certain: it has the potential to reshape the landscape of college football. Ross Bjork, the Ohio State Athletic Director (AD), has also voiced his opinion on the matter, bringing a unique perspective to the conversation as he oversees one of the most prestigious athletic programs in the country.

Bjork, known for his leadership and progressive approach to college athletics, has been instrumental in shaping Ohio State’s athletic strategy, including its involvement in major football decisions. As an influential figure in both the Big Ten Conference and the broader NCAA landscape, Bjork’s views on the CFP expansion are critical. This article explores Bjork’s position on the proposed changes to the playoff system, his reasoning behind his stance, and the implications of a potential expansion for Ohio State and the future of college football.

The Current State of the College Football Playoff System

Before delving into Bjork’s position, it is essential to understand the current structure of the College Football Playoff. As of the 2023 season, the CFP includes four teams—determined by a selection committee—that compete for a national championship. The committee ranks teams based on their regular-season performances, conference championships, and other factors. While the four-team playoff has been successful in drawing attention to the sport and creating memorable moments, it has also faced criticism for its limitations.

One of the main criticisms of the current system is its exclusion of deserving teams from automatic inclusion. For instance, teams from Group of Five conferences (non-Power Five) often find themselves outside the top 4, despite having undefeated records or strong seasons. Additionally, Power Five teams from smaller conferences or those with one or two losses sometimes miss out on a playoff spot, leading to calls for a more inclusive system. Fans and critics have argued that the current model places too much emphasis on rankings and subjective committee decisions, rather than allowing more teams to prove themselves on the field.

Another issue is the lack of representation for teams from non-elite programs. The CFP is often dominated by teams from the Power Five conferences—such as the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12—leaving little room for programs outside these conferences to compete for the national title. This has sparked a growing desire for a more equitable system that provides more teams an opportunity to showcase their talent on the national stage.

Ross Bjork’s Perspective: Advocating for Expansion

As the Athletic Director of Ohio State, one of the most successful and high-profile programs in the country, Ross Bjork’s views on the College Football Playoff expansion carry significant weight. Bjork has been an advocate for a larger, more inclusive playoff, believing that an expanded playoff would benefit not just the Power Five conferences, but college football as a whole.

Expanding Opportunities for More Teams

One of Bjork’s central arguments in favor of expanding the College Football Playoff is the belief that more teams should have the opportunity to compete for a national championship. Ohio State, as a perennial contender, has been one of the programs that has benefitted the most from the current system. The Buckeyes have consistently found themselves in the playoff mix, having qualified for the CFP in multiple seasons. However, Bjork acknowledges that other programs, particularly those from smaller conferences, may not have the same opportunities to break into the playoff due to the limitations of the four-team field.

“College football is a sport that thrives on its unpredictability and passion, and expanding the playoff will give more deserving teams a chance to prove themselves,” Bjork said in a public statement in 2023. He noted that an expanded playoff would provide smaller schools with the opportunity to showcase their programs on the biggest stage, leading to more excitement and engagement among fans across the country.

Bjork’s position reflects the growing sentiment within college football that the current playoff system is not truly representative of the sport’s diversity and potential. By increasing the number of playoff teams, Bjork believes college football could tap into a wider array of fan bases, bringing new excitement and attention to the game.

The Impact on Ohio State and the Big Ten

As a leading member of the Big Ten Conference, Bjork also considers how an expanded playoff system would affect Ohio State’s place within the conference and its ability to compete for national titles. While the Buckeyes are a perennial playoff team, Bjork is aware that the current system sometimes leaves out deserving teams that may have had a strong season but did not win their conference or suffer a loss in a critical game.

Under the current structure, the committee has placed a heavy emphasis on conference championships, strength of schedule, and overall ranking when determining the four teams to qualify for the CFP. This has led to situations where a team like Ohio State, which might have one loss and didn’t win its conference, could be left out in favor of other teams with fewer losses but perhaps weaker schedules.

Bjork believes that an expanded playoff system would allow for a more equitable selection process, where the best teams from each conference and the nation can get an opportunity to prove their worth. While he recognizes that Ohio State would still likely be a regular contender under the new system, he believes that expanding the field would create a more exciting and competitive postseason for all teams, including those from the Big Ten.

“It’s not just about Ohio State or the Power Five conferences. It’s about creating a fair system where every program, regardless of its conference affiliation, has an equal opportunity to compete for a national title,” Bjork explained.

Additionally, Bjork sees the potential for increased revenue and exposure for the Big Ten as a whole. With the expansion of the playoff, more Big Ten teams could potentially make the postseason, which would bring greater financial benefits to the conference and its members.

Addressing the Logistics and Concerns of Expansion

While Bjork has been a vocal supporter of expanding the College Football Playoff, he also recognizes the complexities and challenges associated with such an expansion. One of the key issues that has been raised by critics of expansion is the potential for overloading student-athletes with additional games, which could lead to burnout and injuries. The current playoff format consists of just a few games, but expanding the field would likely mean more games, particularly for teams that are involved in the early rounds of the playoff.

Bjork is fully aware of the demands that an expanded playoff would place on student-athletes, but he believes that with proper planning and scheduling, it can be managed effectively. One suggestion that has been discussed in college football circles is adjusting the schedule to accommodate the additional playoff rounds without compromising the integrity of the regular season or overburdening players.

“We need to be mindful of the student-athletes’ well-being, but I believe that with the right adjustments, we can make this work,” Bjork said. “This isn’t just about adding more games; it’s about creating a system that benefits everyone—the players, the schools, the fans, and the sport as a whole.”

Another concern surrounding the expansion of the College Football Playoff is how it might affect the current bowl system. The traditional bowl games have long been a staple of college football, and some argue that expanding the playoff could devalue these historic contests. Bjork, however, sees the possibility of integrating bowl games into the expanded playoff structure, ensuring that they retain their relevance and tradition.

“We don’t want to lose the history and tradition of the bowl system,” Bjork stated. “What we want to do is create a playoff system that complements the bowls, bringing more excitement and value to the postseason experience for both teams and fans.”

Economic and Fan Engagement Opportunities

One of the most compelling reasons Bjork supports the expansion of the College Football Playoff is the significant economic benefits it could bring to college football as a whole. Expanding the playoff would likely lead to more games, higher TV ratings, and more opportunities for sponsorships and merchandise sales. For a program like Ohio State, which already enjoys high levels of fan engagement and national recognition, the expansion could lead to even greater exposure and financial rewards.

Bjork has also highlighted the importance of increasing fan engagement through an expanded playoff. College football fans are some of the most passionate and loyal in the world, and the excitement generated by the playoff has only continued to grow in recent years. By expanding the field, more fan bases will have the chance to watch their teams compete in the postseason, driving attendance and viewership.

“I believe this is a win-win for everyone,” Bjork said. “We’re giving more fans a chance to see their teams play in the postseason, while also ensuring that the teams that deserve a shot at the national title get the opportunity to earn it.”