The College Football Playoff (CFP) has been a topic of much debate, especially with the recent discussions of expanding it to 24 teams. This article explores the impact of an expanded playoff format on Ohio State teams during the BCS and CFP eras, focusing on the teams that missed out on the postseason tournament and could have potentially made a run at a national championship with a larger playoff field.
The Case for Expansion
The argument for expanding the playoff field is compelling, especially for teams like Ohio State that have consistently been on the cusp of a national championship but have been denied the opportunity due to the limited number of teams in the postseason tournament. With an expanded playoff, these teams would have had a better chance to showcase their talent and compete for the ultimate prize.
Notable Ohio State Teams
Several Ohio State teams from the BCS and CFP era stand out as potential beneficiaries of an expanded playoff format. Here are some of the notable teams that missed out on the postseason tournament and could have made a legitimate run at a national championship:
No. 5: 2005 Ohio State
- Record: 9-2
- Final regular season ranking: No. 4 BCS
- This team had a loaded offense with players like Troy Smith, Antonio Pittman, Ted Ginn Jr., Santonio Holmes, and Anthony Gonzalez. The defense was equally impressive, featuring A.J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel, and Bobby Carpenter.
- In an expanded playoff, Ohio State could have faced No. 1 USC in the semifinal, a team that was loaded and formidable. A win would have set up a rematch with No. 2 Texas in the championship game, a team they had beaten during the regular season.
No. 4: 2018 Ohio State
- Record: 12-1
- Final regular season ranking: No. 6 CFP
- A shocking loss to Purdue derailed the Buckeyes' national title hopes, but they rebounded to win the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl.
- In a 12-team playoff, Ohio State would have hosted LSU in the first round, a team that was not at its best at the time. A win would have set up a favorable matchup against Notre Dame, a team they hadn't lost to since 1936.
No. 3: 2013 Ohio State
- Record: 12-1
- Final regular season ranking: No. 7 BCS
- A close call against Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship cost the Buckeyes a shot at the national championship.
- In a 12-team playoff, Ohio State would have hosted Oregon, a team with a talented offense and a 1,000-yard rusher. A win would have set up a challenging semifinal against Alabama or Baylor.
No. 2: 2015 Ohio State
- Record: 11-1
- Final regular season ranking: No. 7 CFP
- A combination of weather, a talented opponent, and Ezekiel Elliott's illness led to a loss to Michigan State.
- In a 12-team playoff, Ohio State would have hosted North Carolina, a team they should have beaten. A win would have set up a semifinal against either Michigan State or Stanford.
No. 1: 1998 Ohio State
- Regular season record: 10-1
- Final regular season ranking: No. 4 BCS
- A late-season loss to Michigan State cost the Buckeyes a shot at the national championship.
- In a 12-team playoff, Ohio State would have had a first-round bye and faced the winner of UCLA and Virginia in the quarterfinal. A win would have set up a semifinal against either Florida or Wisconsin.
The Impact of Expansion
The expansion of the playoff field to 24 teams would have had a significant impact on these Ohio State teams. With more teams in the postseason, the chances of a team like Ohio State making a run at a national championship would have increased. The larger field would have provided more opportunities for these teams to showcase their talent and compete for the ultimate prize.
In conclusion, the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams would have had a profound impact on Ohio State teams during the BCS and CFP eras. The teams mentioned above, along with others, would have had a better chance to compete for a national championship in a larger playoff format. It's a fascinating 'what if' scenario that highlights the potential benefits of expanding the postseason tournament.
