Ad Disclosure
Ryan Day responds to criticism that Ohio State got into Playoff after playing just 6 games
Published:
Ohio State made it into the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed despite only playing six games this season.
The Buckeyes lost three games to COVID-19 outbreaks, including two by their opponents.
Still, the lack of games played when compared to the other CFP contenders has frustrated some within the sport. Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher and Ross Bjork were among those who took aim at the Buckeyes’ schedule this week.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day responded to some of that criticism on Sunday, citing that every team faced unique challenges this season.
“I totally respect everybody’s situation because everyone’s gone through different things this year,” Day said on ESPN. “Everyone’s gone through different challenges. I just focus on this team because I know how special these guys are and everything they’ve overcome. We started our season on Oct. 23 when everybody goes in the inside in the North and the virus spiked and we had three games canceled. They just kept showing up every day.”
The Big Ten didn’t start its season until October after (temporarily) canceling its fall season back in August due to COVID-19. By the time the conference was able to put a schedule together, there was no flexibility for make up dates.
As a result, the Buckeyes only played five games before defeating Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday.
Still, the CFP committee included Ohio State over No. 5 Texas A&M, who is currently on a seven-game winning streak. Instead, the Aggies will go the Orange Bowl to face North Carolina and an old foe in coach Mack Brown.
Now the Buckeyes will get a chance to prove their worth in the Sugar Bowl vs. Clemson on Jan. 2.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
