Ohio State’s Ryan Day has been very open about what he’d like to see from the College Football Playoff moving forward and he reiterated those beliefs in a recent conversation with ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.
Discussing the future format with the veteran CFB reporter, Day called for the Big Ten to have multiple automatic qualifiers in the 12-team postseason tournament.
“We’re in the Big Ten, and we have 18 teams and some of the best programs in the country,” Day said. “I feel like we deserve at least four automatic qualifiers.”
“If you don’t have those automatic qualifiers, you’re less likely to play a game like we’re playing this year against Texas, because it just won’t make sense,” the coach continued. “If we do, then you’re more likely to do that, because we play nine conference games in the Big Ten. The SEC doesn’t. So it’s not equal.”
In an interview with ESPN, Ryan Day said the Big Ten deserves four automatic qualifiers in the CFP: "We have 18 teams and some of the best programs in the country." https://t.co/klptT9c45X
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) June 4, 2025
Fans reacted to Day’s comments on social media.
“False, no conference should have any automatic qualifiers,” a user posted.
“He’s the expert. Ohio State doesn’t make the playoffs last year. Without the 12 team money grab,” another replied.
“If you are indeed the best it should be no problem earning the spots,” a fan said. “The ‘best’ don’t need automatic bids.”
“What if I tell you the BCS was the best system all along..” another person commented.
“Kiffin had it right,” another user stated. “16 best teams.”
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Automatic qualifiers have been a big point of contention amongst the college football world as the sport discusses how to move forward with possible Playoff expansion.
Clearly the Big Ten is one of the strongest conferences in the nation. But the idea that it should make up a third or more of the College Football Playoff bracket? That’s a little more arguable.
Time will tell what the committee ultimately decides as far as that goes though. For now the 2026 format largely remains a mystery.
Related: The 5 Teams That Could Go Undefeated, According To ESPN’s Computer
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