The only difference between John Cooper and Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is the 12-team playoff.
If that had existed when Cooper was the head coach for Ohio State, he might have won a national title too. The Buckeyes did win the Rose Bowl in 1996, defeating Jake the Snake Plummer to finish 11-1.
That team could have won a four or 12-team playoff too. The problem for Cooper, like Ryan Day, is that he couldn't beat Michigan football. Cooper was 2-10-1 against Michigan. Day is 1-4. He's lost four consecutive games to the Wolverines as the No. 2 team.
Twice, Michigan football ended undefeated seasons for Day, just like they did to Cooper in 1995 and 1996. Fortunately, for Day, the Buckeyes had another shot at the national title, even without beating Michigan football or winning the Big Ten.
To their credit, Ohio State has taken advantage. They have gone on a tremendous run and played tremendous football. Their four-game run has been great, one of the better four-game stretches in college football history, but that doesn't make this team one of the best ever.
Not even close.
Anyone even putting Ohio State in the discussion needs to have their head examined. The 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers didn't lose two games or lose to their rival. Michigan football didn't do that either in 2023 and it went 15-0, just like LSU under Joe Burrow.
Ohio State fans can argue until they are blue in the face about how this team is one of the greatest of all time, but it doesn't hold a candle to Michigan football in 2023. The Wolverines won the Big Ten, beat Ohio State, and didn't lose a game. They trailed in the fourth quarter once all season, for a matter of minutes.
The Buckeyes didn't do any of those things. They lost multiple times -- once to an unranked team that was 6-5. Are they really the best team in college football this season?
An Ohio State title national title would be watered down
If Ohio State wins, it will deserve to be called national champion. But not all national championships are created equal. Far from it and Ohio State's, without a win over Michigan football, or a Big Ten title, is a watered-down version of the national title.
And the least satisfying the Buckeyes have ever won. As a Michigan football fan, I wouldn't know what that feels like because in 2023, I got to have my cake and eat it too. The Wolverines beat Ohio State and won the national title.
Franky, I can't imagine doing one without the other. The Wolverines also went undefeated and won the Big Ten.
A national title without beating Michigan is perfect for Ryan Day, so it's a good thing the playoff expanded, or Day would just be another John Cooper.