Does Ryan Day have a new Michigan strategy? Is it treat the Wolverines like the start of the playoff?

Moving band practice with the football team to the bye week, instead of Michigan week, is part of this thinking

Ryan Day at his Tuesday news conference on Nov. 4, 2025. (Photo by Doug Lesmerises)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s playoff run last season was a triumph of logistics. If the primary driver of the Buckeyes’ dash to a national title was the emotional team meeting three days after the Michigan loss, Ohio State also knew how to build the road.

The Buckeyes played their best ball of the season when it mattered most because they were fresh and focused. Ohio State had a 16-game plan from the start of the season. And then once the Buckeyes got into the playoff schedule — a game 21 days after the Michigan loss, the next 11 days later, the next nine days later, and the title game 10 days later, they continued to handle their business.

In winning the first 12-team playoff, the Buckeyes created a model for playoff teams to follow. It would be hard to question a plan that had Day feeling the Buckeyes were as rested, physical and ready for the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 against Oregon as they had been all season.

Remember that one? A 31-0 Ohio State lead 23 minutes in?

So if they did that so well, creating a rest-and-focus plan aimed at the playoff that brought out their best … what if Ohio State decided the playoff this season started on Nov. 29?