As the College Football Playoff (CFP) reaches its fever pitch, Ohio State finds itself at a critical juncture of a 12-team postseason that more closely resembles a professional football marathon than the traditional bowl season. With an extended playoff schedule that mirrors the relentless grind of the NFL, the Buckeyes have reached a point where every day feels indistinguishable from the last. The fatigue of a long season, the pressure of maintaining momentum, and the challenge of staying sharp both physically and mentally are all part of the current reality for Ohio State as they prepare for their CFP semifinal against No. 3 Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday.
The transition from a four-team playoff format to a 12-team field has introduced a unique challenge for college football teams, one that is not unlike the professional grind seen in the NFL. Though college football’s regular season is shorter than that of the NFL, the pressures and expectations surrounding the extended playoff schedule are becoming more akin to a pro-style playoff system. The added games, the mental and physical toll, and the constant pressure to perform at the highest level for weeks on end are all too familiar to NFL teams chasing a Super Bowl title. For Ohio State and its players, the grind of a 14-game season, which mirrors the 2002 Buckeyes’ championship campaign, now leads into Game 15. Game 16 and beyond could come with a national title on the line, but to get there, the Buckeyes must continue to handle the season’s mental and physical toll.
The Cotton Bowl matchup against Texas will test Ohio State’s ability to stay sharp, particularly in a season that has featured several highs and lows. With both teams coming into this semifinal battle with the possibility of reaching a 17th game if they continue their playoff runs, the wear and tear of a marathon season cannot be underestimated. No player or coach on either side has experienced the exact same kind of extended postseason run, but the players themselves will rely heavily on their coaching staff to help navigate the grind.
For Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, though, this isn’t entirely new territory. In fact, Day brings a wealth of experience from his time in the NFL, which will undoubtedly prove beneficial in keeping the Buckeyes focused and fresh as they push through this unusual playoff format. During the 2015 season, Day served as Chip Kelly’s quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, and again in 2016 when Kelly moved to the San Francisco 49ers. While neither franchise made the playoffs during Day’s tenure, the extended NFL regular seasons—16 games in total—served as a primer for the kind of mental and physical stamina needed to thrive through the long haul. Day saw firsthand the challenges that players and coaches face during an NFL season that stretches well into January, and that experience provides invaluable perspective for Ohio State’s coaching staff as they prepare for the lengthened College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes, much like NFL teams, are tasked with maintaining not just physical health but also mental sharpness during this marathon stretch. College football may not have the grueling weekly grind of the NFL, but its postseason demands are similar in nature. The College Football Playoff is no longer a simple weekend of bowl games; it is a multi-week, high-stakes battle for supremacy. Teams that are able to maintain focus, manage the mental exhaustion, and still execute at a high level when fatigue starts to set in are the ones that will survive the playoff gauntlet and emerge as champions.
It’s a challenge that Ohio State’s players are undoubtedly aware of, but it’s also one that they have been preparing for all season. In a sport that is becoming increasingly influenced by professional-style schedules, the ability to stay sharp throughout an extended season will determine whether the Buckeyes—currently ranked No. 6—can overcome a formidable Texas team that has also navigated its own set of challenges to reach this point in the playoff. Both teams have played 14 games so far, and each will look to continue its momentum through the intense final stretch.
One key area where Ohio State can look to maintain its momentum is through consistency. With a squad that boasts a number of star players—quarterback Will Howard, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and others—the Buckeyes have the talent to compete with any team in the country. The leadership of Day will be crucial in ensuring the players remain focused and energized as they approach the Cotton Bowl. Howard, in particular, is hungry for redemption after an emotional college career that has included a series of close calls, including several losses to Texas when he played for Kansas State. The opportunity to finally make a statement in a game that matters as much as this semifinal is not lost on Howard, and it is clear that the Buckeyes’ quarterback will be putting everything he has into this contest.
Smith, one of the most electrifying players in college football this season, will be a key part of Ohio State’s offensive game plan. Texas, which has been watching film on Smith for weeks, will undoubtedly make stopping him a priority, but Smith’s rare combination of size, speed, and ball skills makes him a nightmare to defend. If he can continue his dominant play, it could be the difference-maker for Ohio State. The Longhorns are well aware that Smith is one of the top talents in the country, but there’s little they can do to fully contain him.
The physical toll of the extended season is also a critical factor in this matchup. Both teams have had to deal with the wear and tear of a long, demanding year, and the team that can keep its key players healthy and fresh will have an edge in this game. Ohio State’s medical and conditioning staff will have their work cut out for them, ensuring that the players are in peak physical condition as they face off against Texas.
At the same time, the mental aspect of this extended playoff run will be just as important. The Buckeyes must stay focused and disciplined in order to avoid the temptation of falling into a routine that could devolve into a rut. The experience that Ryan Day gained in the NFL will help guide the team through this challenging period. In Day’s time with the Eagles and 49ers, he learned how to handle the ebbs and flows of a long season—how to keep players mentally engaged, how to prevent burnout, and how to ensure that the team peaks at the right time. These lessons will prove invaluable as Ohio State faces the pressure of a playoff that has extended its season into unfamiliar territory.
As the Buckeyes prepare to take on Texas in the Cotton Bowl, the stakes could not be higher. The path to the national championship is long and demanding, but Ohio State is equipped with the necessary experience, talent, and leadership to survive the grind. The team that can maintain mental focus, physical health, and crisp execution will ultimately emerge as the 2023 national champion. For Ohio State, the road ahead will be tough, but with the right leadership and a talented roster, they have a real shot at lifting the gold trophy in a few weeks.
