Ohio State head coach Ryan Day believes that the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) has given his team the perfect opportunity to “peak” at the right time, ahead of their upcoming showdown with Texas in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10. The winner of this game will secure a trip to the national championship, and Day feels the new playoff format has been crucial in allowing the Buckeyes to evolve and improve as the postseason progresses.

Despite a challenging regular season, including a heartbreaking loss to rival Michigan for the fourth consecutive year, Ohio State has been on fire since entering the expanded playoff. The Buckeyes crushed both Tennessee and top-seeded Oregon by a combined margin of 45 points, showcasing their offensive firepower and overall growth. In the Rose Bowl, they dominated Oregon, jumping out to a 34-0 lead late in the second quarter, a performance that left no doubt about their potential.

“We’ve learned a lot about our team,” Day said on Friday. “I think we’ve grown a lot as a team, and we’re hoping this will be our best football of the season.” His optimism is well-founded, as Ohio State has clearly gained momentum in the playoffs, something Day is banking on as they move forward.

The Buckeyes are currently five-point favorites over Texas, who earned their playoff berth with a dramatic 39-31 double-overtime victory over Arizona State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Despite the loss to Michigan, Ohio State’s recent form suggests they are poised to make a serious push for the national title. In their win over Oregon, they averaged 8.8 yards per play, the third-highest in Rose Bowl history, according to ESPN Research.

Day credits the new playoff system with giving his team the chance to grow and improve late in the season, something he sees as a huge advantage. He compared Ohio State’s journey to that of a wildcard team making a deep run in the NFL playoffs, noting that the Buckeyes have gained valuable experience and confidence from their first two victories. “If we could get a good win in the first game, we could build some momentum,” he explained. “Now it’s our job to keep that momentum. We have it right now, but that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t keep it.”

Despite their impressive performances, Day remains focused on the task at hand. “The Oregon game is over,” he said. “The only thing that matters is this game right here, playing against Texas.” With a national championship on the line, Day’s Buckeyes will look to continue their upward trajectory and make a statement in the Cotton Bowl.