Ryan Day isn’t just focused on winning games—he’s fighting for the Big Ten’s playoff future. After leading Ohio State to a national title in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff as an at-large team, Day is now pushing for something bigger: automatic respect for the Big Ten. Specifically, at least four automatic playoff bids.

That’s right—four. While college football leaders debate how the next CFP version will look starting in 2026, the current “5+11” model is gaining ground. That model gives five automatic spots to conference champs and 11 at-large bids. But Day believes that doesn’t do justice to powerhouse leagues like the Big Ten or the SEC, especially now that the Big Ten has grown to include heavy hitters like Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington.

Even though the Big Ten h

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