College Football Playoff: Survival of the Fittest
The college football season has reached unprecedented lengths, with Ohio State and Notre Dame set to break a threshold by playing their 16th game. The physical toll on players is evident, with injuries piling up and fatigue setting in.
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As Notre Dame defensive tackle Howard Cross succinctly put it, “Anybody that says they’re 100 percent that’s been playing is lying.” The extended season has taken its toll, and teams are now focused on survival rather than perfection.
The 12-team College Football Playoff has introduced a new dynamic, where teams must navigate a longer grind than ever before. This has forced coaches to rethink their strategies, prioritizing player health and endurance over explosive offense.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, for instance, deliberately slowed down the pace of his team’s offense to reduce wear and tear. This approach has helped preserve his players’ energy for the postseason run.
While the numbers may not be drastic, the impact is significant. Ohio State has averaged 61.8 offensive plays per game, down from 63.9 last year and 67.4 in 2022. This subtle adjustment reflects the team’s focus on longevity over explosive plays.
The emphasis on player health is a welcome shift in the college football landscape. As players begin to earn money through name, image, and likeness deals, their well-being has become a pressing concern.
The likelihood of teams playing 16 or 17 games has made building a championship roster a complex challenge. Coaches must balance the need for talent with the imperative to keep players healthy.
In this new era of college football, the team that lasts the longest will emerge victorious. As Howard Cross aptly put it, “At this point, it’s just who lasts longer.”
