The Ohio State football team was disappointed with their placement in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, feeling they deserved a seed higher than eighth. Instead, the Committee ranked them below both Boise State and Arizona State—each conference champions who earned automatic first-round byes.
Many college football fans questioned whether those teams were truly championship contenders and why they should receive such advantages.
But the Buckeyes weren’t concerned with the seedings once the games began. They powered through an incredibly tough schedule to capture the national title, completing what many consider the most impressive four-game stretch in college football history. Now, they might not have to face such a brutal path again.
Going forward, the College Football Playoff will adopt a straightforward seeding system, meaning conference champions will no longer be guaranteed a first-round bye. This is a major shift for college football—and great news for teams like Ohio State.
With this change, the Buckeyes are expected to secure higher seeds in most seasons. As long as they perform well, they won’t be stuck with a low seed like eighth, as they were in 2024. That means a much easier path to the national championship.
Of course, Ohio State showed no signs of struggle as they defeated Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame on their way to the title. Still, fans will appreciate that future playoff runs are likely to be less grueling.
Looking ahead, Ohio State is aiming to be the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 College Football Playoff.