Ross Bjork is no stranger to the big stage. As Ohio State’s newly appointed athletic director, he’s stepping right into college football’s biggest debate: Are marquee non-conference games still worth it? With matchups against Texas, Alabama, and Georgia lined up, Bjork is backing the drama of powerhouse clashes. But he’s also making it clear: if the playoff system doesn’t reward these matchups, why play them?
Ohio State versus Texas in 2025 sets the stage for the national tone
Bjork isn’t backing down from the thrill of opening the season with Texas in 2025. He understands these are the games that define fan memory, stir national attention, and shape legacies. But even as Ohio State prepares for that showdown, he’s questioning the math behind it.Why play Texas, Alabama, or Georgia if those games could cost a playoff berth, while other schools pad their records with weaker opponents? If the selection committee fails to factor in the strength of schedule properly, schools might opt for a softer path. Bjork is drawing a line. If Ohio State is going to take on these challenges, others must play by the same rules.
SEC scheduling inconsistency raises fairness concerns for Ohio State
At the heart of the issue is scheduling imbalance. The Big Ten, along with the Big 12, plays nine conference games. The SEC and ACC play only eight. That single-game difference matters more than it seems; it can mean one less grueling opponent and one more cupcake on the road to 12-0.
College football’s blockbuster future now hangs in the balance
The tension Bjork highlights isn’t just about Ohio State. It’s about where college football goes from here. The expanded playoff will push teams to make strategic decisions, and unless a consistent national model emerges, the days of Ohio State versus Texas to open the season may be numbered.Read more: How Cade Klubnik turned into Dabo Swinney’s Heisman-calibre leaderBjork believes in those moments, but only if the system does too.
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