The CFP expanding to either 16 games, which is what the SEC wants, or 24, which is what the Big Ten wants, will have an effect on the Ohio State Buckeyes' upcoming schedule's marquee matchups either way.
That includes a pair of home-and-home series with the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs, and "The Game" with TTUN. Cleveland.com's Andrew Gillis doesn't believe much will happen to the SEC matchups, but believes there could be a renewed interest in preserving the Buckeyes-Wolverines matchup.
Per Gillis, "Ohio State is also currently scheduled to play Alabama (in 2027 and 2028) and Georgia (in 2030 and 2031). Under an expanded postseason, it’s possible that those marquee out-of-conference games stay on the schedule, rather than face cancellation. The move could also have ramifications for Ohio State-Michigan, which coach Ryan Day has noted in the past was worth a discussion. That was due to the possibility of a Big Ten Championship Game rematch, and potentially a postseason matchup as well. But the chance of a playoff rematch -- perhaps the following week -- could certainly hold the same conversation topics. It’s unclear exactly what a 24-team playoff would mean for the Buckeyes and other top programs, but it’s clear that there would be significant change to a myriad of things across the sport’s landscape."
Ohio State will always have a tough schedule
Public shame appears to be the only reason Alabama didn't bow out against a home-and-home series against Ohio State. University of Alabama AD Greg Byrne hinted that a nine-game SEC schedule could force the Crimson Tide to reevaluate difficult non-conference games, since the James Madison Dukes and Tulane Green Wave didn't play the most difficult schedule but made the field this past December.
Well, Alabama is standing on business. For now. Meanwhile. Georgia cancelled a home-and-home against the Florida State Seminoles to reschedule to one neutral-site game. It's unclear what that means, but the Dawgs-Buckeyes series is still on. That series is still over four years away.
Ohio State-TTUN doesn't need to be changed at all. If they play a second time in a season, so be it. If they play a third? Destiny clearly wanted these rivals to settle their differences several times.
We'll see what happens to these marquee matchups in due time.
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