Ohio State Coach Downplays Importance Of First Playoff Rankings Announcement

At his Tuesday press conference, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day asserted that the Buckeyes will not dwell on the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee's forthcoming rankings, set to be unveiled that evening. Following their impressive second-half display against Penn State, Day maintained that these early rankings lack importance and distract from the team's overarching objective.When probed about where the undefeated Buckeyes, currently ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press and Coaches Polls, might land within the CFP's top 25, Day replied, “It doesn’t matter.” He stressed to his athletes that the night's revelations provide “window dressing.” The crucial details emerge only in December when final rankings are issued, particularly now that the Playoff has expanded to 12 teams, making the top four seeds vital. Day's strategy is designed to keep players focused on their next challenge against Purdue, steering clear of distractions from rankings and media commentary. His ultimate goal for the team is to be at their best in January, not merely the highest-ranked in November.