Ryan Day Has Idea To Make Ohio State vs. Michigan Even More 'Fierce'

Ryan Day Has Idea To Make Ohio State vs. Michigan Even More 'Fierce'

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Ryan Day Has Idea To Make Ohio State vs. Michigan Even More 'Fierce'

The growing momentum for a 24-team College Football Playoff understandably has fans petrified at the idea that the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines might someday decide to rest starters in The Game rather than risk injuries before the postseason. But Ohio State head coach Ryan Day believes that there's one thing that will ensure The Game stays meaningful in the approaching new era of college football.

In an interview with Scott Dochterman of The Athletic, Day said that the stakes might actually be bigger now that the playoff is larger.

“I think with the elimination of the championship game, it keeps that rivalry as fierce as it’s ever been, the stakes just as high," Day said.

Day argued that the bragging rights of winning The Game would be higher in this scenario, with seeding in the College Football Playoff being critical to a team's national title ambitions.

"You’re playing for either a chance to get into the Playoff or a chance to get seeded high to get a first-round bye," Day said. "Or, if you are already maybe predicted to be one of the top eight schools, then you’re fighting for a high seed. So, all those are critically important to your success in the Playoff."

Problems

Given that Ohio State and Michigan have spent most of their existence without having a conference title game to look forward to, The Game being more important to their national title ambitions is understandable.

The problem is it still doesn't address what happens in the very likely situation that both of them are already basically in the College Football Playoff and wanting to rest. If both teams are 11-0 like they were back in 2023, they'd both have qualified for a high seed in a 24-team playoff.

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day yells for his players to stop while leaving the field following the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. Ohio State lost 13-10.© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

At that point, the difference between winning and losing might come down to the difference between three or four spots in the College Football seeding, maybe less. That might not be enough to flat-out discourage players from sitting out at the altar of being extra cautious heading into the playoff.

Day either doesn't realize that, doesn't think it's a possibility or just plain refuses to acknowledge it.

Hopefully it never becomes a factor, otherwise Day might come to regret his defense of the 24-team playoff.

This story was originally published by The Spun on May 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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