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How Ohio State’s Ryan Day Used the First 12-Team CFP to Win Their First National Championship in a Decade
The 2024 season marked a seismic shift in college football with the implementation of a 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP), an expansion of the postseason format that would drastically alter the landscape of the sport. For Ohio State, the arrival of the 12-team field was a significant opportunity to reclaim its place atop college football after a decade-long championship drought. Ryan Day, entering his fifth season as head coach, and the Buckeyes would navigate through uncharted waters in the postseason, ultimately emerging victorious as national champions.
In this article, we will explore how Ryan Day leveraged the new format, his coaching acumen, and the strengths of his team to guide Ohio State to its first national title since 2014.
The Road to the Playoff
Before diving into the intricacies of Ohio State’s championship run, it’s essential to understand the impact of the expanded 12-team playoff format. Traditionally, the CFP field consisted of just four teams, which created an intense and often unforgiving selection process. For many elite programs, like Ohio State, a single loss could dramatically damage their hopes of making the playoff, and automatic qualifiers such as conference champions added another layer of complexity to the selection.
The introduction of the 12-team field allowed more teams to enter the playoff mix, with the top six conference champions automatically earning a spot and the remaining six spots awarded to at-large teams. This change provided a buffer for teams that might suffer a setback during the regular season but still had enough firepower to make a championship run.
For Ohio State, 2024 began with high expectations. The Buckeyes were coming off a near-miss in 2023, falling just short of the playoff after a loss to Michigan. However, the core of the team, including a dynamic offense led by quarterback Kyle McCord and a defense bolstered by elite recruits, remained largely intact. The expanded playoff field meant that a single loss wouldn’t necessarily derail their championship aspirations.
As the regular season unfolded, Ohio State navigated its schedule with a mix of dominant victories and close calls. Their season was highlighted by a key win over Michigan, avenging the previous year’s defeat. The Buckeyes finished with an 11-1 record, securing a spot in the 12-team playoff as one of the top four at-large teams.
A More Forgiving Path to the Title
One of the most significant benefits of the 12-team format for Ohio State was the added margin for error. In years past, a loss, even if it was to a top-tier opponent, could effectively eliminate a team from national title contention. In the expanded playoff, however, Ohio State was able to lose one game and still receive an invitation to the postseason.
The first round of the 2024 CFP was a relatively smooth affair for the Buckeyes. They faced off against the No. 5 seed, an upstart West Coast team that had surprised many by making it this far. With Ryan Day’s game planning and the team’s depth, Ohio State emerged victorious in a resounding 38-17 win, advancing to the quarterfinals.
The new playoff structure also meant that the Buckeyes would avoid the intense pressure of a single-elimination format from the outset. This allowed Ryan Day and his staff to build a strategic game plan, knowing they had more opportunities to adjust and improve as the tournament progressed.
The Quarterfinals: Masterful Coaching and Execution
In the quarterfinals, Ohio State found itself facing a familiar and dangerous opponent in the form of the SEC’s second-best team, Alabama. The Crimson Tide, led by a high-powered offense, had been a perennial powerhouse in the college football playoff era. The matchup was widely considered one of the most intriguing in the 2024 bracket, with both teams featuring explosive offenses and defenses that had been tested by top-tier competition.
Ryan Day, however, had one significant advantage over his counterpart Nick Saban: his ability to adapt to the nuances of the 12-team playoff format. With the added time between rounds, Day was able to craft a game plan that neutralized Alabama’s strengths while maximizing Ohio State’s advantages. He used a combination of creative offensive play-calling and aggressive defense to stymie Alabama’s rhythm.
The Buckeyes defense, led by a dynamic pass rush and a secondary that had matured throughout the season, managed to contain Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. On offense, Kyle McCord’s poise and ability to make big-time throws in clutch moments were on full display. Running back TreVeyon Henderson was a key difference-maker, grinding out tough yards and keeping the Alabama defense on its heels.
The game was tightly contested, but with Ryan Day’s strategic leadership and a composed performance from his players, Ohio State came away with a thrilling 31-24 victory. The win sent the Buckeyes to the semifinals, where they would face off against a familiar powerhouse: Georgia.
The Semifinal: A Classic Showdown with Georgia
The semifinal against Georgia was perhaps the most anticipated matchup in the 2024 CFP, pitting two of the nation’s top programs against each other. Georgia, coming off a dominant 2023 campaign and boasting a defense that had been virtually impenetrable all season, was the defending national champion and the team to beat. However, Ryan Day had proven over the years that he could prepare his teams to face the best.
One of the key themes of the game was Ohio State’s ability to maintain balance on offense. Ryan Day’s game plan emphasized the need to stretch Georgia’s defense both vertically and horizontally. He also made use of his quarterback’s mobility, allowing McCord to make plays outside the pocket and avoid Georgia’s ferocious pass rush.
On the defensive side, Ohio State’s coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, crafted a game plan designed to contain Georgia’s star quarterback and playmakers. The Buckeyes focused on forcing Georgia into uncomfortable passing situations and limiting big plays.
The game was an instant classic, with both teams exchanging blows throughout the contest. Ohio State’s offense found success in the air, with McCord connecting with star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for several key touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes defense, although facing some adversity, managed to get crucial stops when it mattered most.
In the final moments, with the game tied and under a minute to play, Ryan Day’s leadership shone brightly. He trusted his kicker, Noah Ruggles, a player with experience in high-pressure situations, to deliver the game-winning field goal. With the ball on the 35-yard line and the clock ticking down, Ruggles calmly split the uprights, giving Ohio State a 38-35 win and sending them to the national championship game.
The National Championship: A Masterpiece of Coaching
In the national championship, Ohio State faced a formidable opponent in the form of the defending runner-up, Michigan. The two teams had met in the regular season, with Ohio State emerging victorious, but Michigan’s resilience and explosive offense had made them the team to beat.
Ryan Day knew that a rematch against Michigan would be one of the most challenging tests of his career. The Wolverines, under Jim Harbaugh, had built a physical, disciplined team that excelled in all three phases of the game. Day’s approach in the championship game would require both innovation and precision.
The key to Ohio State’s success in the national championship was Day’s ability to outthink and out-maneuver Michigan’s defense. Day’s offensive play-calling was surgical in its execution, finding weaknesses in Michigan’s coverage and exploiting them with creative route combinations and shifts in formation. McCord, once again, played with the poise and confidence of a seasoned veteran, connecting with his star receivers in critical moments.
On defense, Ohio State’s front seven, led by standout defensive end JT Tuimoloau, dominated Michigan’s offensive line, forcing quarterback J.J. McCarthy into uncomfortable situations. The Buckeyes secondary, which had been a point of improvement all season, stepped up to make key interceptions and deflect passes, giving Ohio State’s offense extra opportunities.
In a game filled with dramatic twists and high-pressure moments, Ohio State’s defense made the critical stops late in the fourth quarter. With Michigan driving for a potential game-winning touchdown, the Buckeyes defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs with less than two minutes remaining.
Ryan Day’s team would go on to seal the victory, 31-27, securing Ohio State’s first national championship since 2014. The victory marked the culmination of Day’s strategic brilliance and his ability to guide Ohio State to the pinnacle of college football.
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