Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has thrown his support behind a bold proposal to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, arguing that a larger field would inject fresh urgency into the early part of the season.
Day says that adding more programs would force teams to schedule high‑stakes non‑conference matchups sooner, giving fans a clearer picture of where squads stand before conference play truly begins.
A New Vision for the Playoff
He specifically pointed to the idea of opening the season with a marquee game against a powerhouse like Texas, a contest he believes could serve as an early litmus test for both teams and help the playoff selection committee make more informed decisions.
According to Day, the extra regular‑season games would also demand a higher level of physical conditioning and strategic readiness, pushing programs to fine‑tune their rosters and schemes well before the traditional kickoff.
If the committee were to recognize these early‑season showdowns as top‑tier contests, the impact on a team's playoff résumé could be significant, potentially reshaping rankings and seeding in ways that reward bold scheduling.
The coach’s vision reflects a broader conversation about how the sport can balance tradition with innovation, and whether a more expansive playoff could ultimately elevate the quality of play while giving more programs a realistic path to the national stage.