In 2025, the landscape of college football will undergo its most significant postseason transformation in decades. The College Football Playoff (CFP), which since 2014 has determined the national champion through a four-team bracket, will expand to 12 teams. For powerhouse programs like Ohio State, the new model brings a mix of anticipation, strategy shifts, and pressure to adapt quickly.
For the Buckeyes, a perennial title contender and frequent participant in the playoff’s previous iteration, this change presents both an opportunity and a gauntlet. Ohio State has thrived under high stakes and spotlight pressure, and the 12-team format offers a broader path to the championship—one that rewards both elite performance and depth across a grueling season.
Under the revised format, the top four conference champions will earn first-round byes, while seeds 5 through 12 will compete in on-campus matchups. This design not only extends the postseason but also enhances its drama, introducing campus-hosted playoff games for the first time. For Ohio State, that means a realistic possibility of hosting a playoff showdown in Columbus, where the Buckeyes’ fanbase creates one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the nation.
Head coach Ryan Day, entering his seventh season at the helm, has already begun preparing his program for the demands of the expanded postseason. In recent comments, Day emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and health throughout the season, acknowledging that the extended path to a title will test depth and resilience like never before.
“We’ve always recruited to win national championships,” Day said. “Now the path just got longer. It’s going to take even more from every part of the program—players, staff, and fans—to reach our goals.”
Ohio State’s ability to recruit elite talent has been a cornerstone of its sustained success. With the new playoff structure, that recruiting strategy becomes even more critical. The depth of a roster will now be tested over the course of a season that may include as many as 17 games for teams advancing from the first round to the championship. The Buckeyes are well-positioned in this regard. Their 2025 recruiting class ranks among the top three nationally, headlined by a mix of five-star skill position players and dominant offensive linemen.
Another key component will be quarterback play. With star signal-caller Devin Brown returning for another year and top-tier prospects in the pipeline, Ohio State’s quarterback room is among the most talented in the country. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who joined the program in 2024, will play a pivotal role in preparing the offense for a deeper and more unpredictable postseason.
The expanded format also places a premium on conference championships. Winning the Big Ten now carries even more weight, with a first-round bye and guaranteed top-four seeding on the line. The Big Ten’s evolving structure—including the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington—makes for a more competitive and challenging path to the title. The Buckeyes must navigate a treacherous regular-season slate, possibly facing multiple top-10 opponents before even reaching the postseason.
Defensively, the Buckeyes are also evolving. Under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, Ohio State has made strides in creating a more aggressive and dynamic unit. With the increased number of games and the potential for late-season injuries, defensive depth and rotational flexibility will be essential. Knowles has emphasized building a defense that can withstand the cumulative toll of a longer season without sacrificing explosiveness or discipline.
Special teams, often overlooked in traditional discussions, could become a decisive factor in the new playoff era. With games potentially being played in hostile environments and unfamiliar stadiums, execution in field goals, punts, and returns may swing momentum or decide outcomes. Ohio State’s emphasis on developing reliable kickers and returners reflects an understanding of this often-undervalued phase of the game.
Off the field, the NIL era and the transfer portal continue to influence program building. Ohio State has embraced the modern recruiting landscape, leveraging its national brand, alumni network, and Columbus’s market to attract and retain talent. The new CFP format is expected to increase the value of playoff exposure, further incentivizing players to commit to programs like Ohio State that regularly contend on the biggest stage.
The cultural significance of hosting a playoff game in Columbus cannot be overstated. The Horseshoe has been the site of countless iconic moments in college football history. An on-campus playoff game would elevate that tradition, uniting students, alumni, and fans in a high-stakes environment unlike any the sport has seen before. The thought of a win-or-go-home clash at Ohio Stadium in December has already energized the fanbase and athletic department alike.
Critics of the expanded playoff worry about player safety, academic conflicts, and the dilution of regular-season importance. But proponents argue that more teams with legitimate championship hopes will make the season more engaging and equitable. For Ohio State, the benefits are clear. With a deeper postseason field, one slip-up in the regular season won’t necessarily doom a title run. It allows elite teams more margin for error while still demanding excellence to survive and advance.
The Buckeyes’ long-standing rivalries—especially with Michigan and Penn State—will take on new meaning in the playoff era. These games, already high stakes, could now impact seeding, home-field advantage, and bye-week scenarios. The strategic implications will ripple throughout the calendar, forcing programs to adjust everything from scheduling to training regimens.
Ohio State’s preparation for this new playoff era is a reflection of its broader mission: to lead the sport in innovation, competitiveness, and tradition. Athletic director Gene Smith, a key voice in national conversations about the playoff expansion, has consistently advocated for models that benefit student-athletes and enhance the sport’s appeal.
“This isn’t just about winning titles,” Smith recently noted. “It’s about creating meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes to grow, compete, and represent our university on a national level. The expanded playoff aligns with those goals.”
As the 2025 season approaches, the Buckeyes are not just bracing for change—they’re embracing it. With an elite roster, seasoned coaching staff, and one of the most passionate fanbases in college football, Ohio State is positioned to thrive in the new CFP landscape. The pressure is immense, the stakes are higher, and the road is longer—but for the Buckeyes, that’s just another reason to chase greatness.
In a sport that thrives on evolution, Ohio State stands at the forefront of the next chapter. The 2025 season won’t just be a test of talent—it will be a test of adaptability, endurance, and vision. For the Buckeyes, the journey to the national championship now runs through more games, tougher competition, and new challenges. But if history is any guide, Ohio State will meet that challenge head-on, ready to etch a new chapter into its storied legacy.
