The Big Ten conference has been a powerhouse in college football. Ohio State took the national title in 2024, and Michigan did the same in 2023.
With the College Football Playoff (CFP) expanding to 12 teams, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day thinks the Big Ten deserves at least four automatic qualifiers. Other coaches in the conference seem to agree, pointing to the depth and quality of Big Ten teams.
As the 2025 season creeps closer, Day’s push for more Big Ten teams in the CFP keeps drawing attention. It’s a conversation that just won’t go away.
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The Big Ten’s Dominance in College Football
The Big Ten’s recent success is hard to ignore. Ohio State and Michigan grabbed back-to-back national titles, making the conference a real force.
Adding Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington for 2024 only made things tougher. Now, with 18 teams, the Big Ten looks even more competitive.
That kind of expansion? It’s a strong argument for letting more Big Ten teams into the College Football Playoff.
Ryan Day’s Advocacy for the Big Ten
Ryan Day hasn’t been shy about what he wants. He says the Big Ten should get at least four automatic playoff spots.
Day points to the conference’s depth and competitiveness. “We’re in the Big Ten, and we have 18 teams and some of the best programs in the country. I feel like we deserve at least four automatic qualifiers,” he told ESPN.
Changes in the College Football Playoff Format
The College Football Playoff recently got a facelift. After a decade of the four-team setup, the sport rolled out a 12-team playoff in 2024.
At first, the top four seeded conference winners got first-round byes, and seven teams earned at-large bids. But in 2025, things change again.
The top four ranked teams overall will get first-round byes, no matter which conference they’re from. Winning your conference still gets you in, but it doesn’t guarantee a bye anymore.
Implications of the New Playoff Format
These changes shake things up for teams and conferences. Ryan Day thinks that without automatic qualifiers, teams might stop scheduling tough non-conference games.
“If you don’t have those automatic qualifiers, you’re less likely to play a game like we’re playing this year against Texas, because it just won’t make sense,” Day said. The Big Ten already plays nine conference games, which is more than the SEC.
Day believes this difference makes it even more important for the Big Ten to have several guaranteed playoff spots.
Ohio State’s Track Record in the College Football Playoff
Ohio State has been a regular in the College Football Playoff since it began in 2014. The Buckeyes have made six appearances, with four under Ryan Day (2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024).
Last year, Ohio State entered as the No. 8 seed after a 10-2 regular season. They went on a four-game run and took home the national title.
Other Big Ten Teams in the Playoff
Ohio State isn’t the only Big Ten team making noise in the playoff. Oregon, Penn State, and Indiana joined them last season.
That kind of representation shows just how deep the conference is. Nebraska’s Matt Rhule even called the Big Ten the “best league” in college football and said it deserves more playoff spots.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a wild one for the Big Ten and college football in general. Ohio State kicks things off at home against the Texas Longhorns on August 30.
It’s a rematch of last season’s CFP semifinal, where the Buckeyes beat Texas 28-14 on their way to the national championship. With the season looming, the debate about how many Big Ten teams should make the playoff isn’t going anywhere.
The Importance of Competitive Non-Conference Games
Ryan Day keeps pushing for more Big Ten teams in the playoff, and honestly, a lot of that comes down to how much competitive non-conference games matter. He thinks that if there aren’t automatic qualifiers, schools might start dodging tough opponents outside their conference.
That would take some excitement out of the whole season, wouldn’t it? When there’s a real shot for multiple Big Ten teams to get in, schools have a reason to keep scheduling those high-stakes, out-of-conference matchups.
For more details and updates (and probably some opinions you’ll agree or disagree with), check out the full article on Fox Sports.
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