Ohio State Football Prioritizes Efficiency Over Pace of Play

Coach Ryan Day explains the Buckeyes' approach to offensive tempo and why it's not the top priority.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:51pm

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Ohio State football operated with one of the slowest tempos in college football last season, averaging 31 seconds per play. Head coach Ryan Day says the team's focus is on efficiency rather than pace, as long as it leads to better execution in critical situations. Day didn't rule out exploring a faster pace in 2026 if the team builds more depth on the roster.

Why it matters

Ohio State's slower pace of play has been a point of discussion, as the sport has seen a trend toward faster-paced offenses in recent years. Day's comments provide insight into the Buckeyes' strategic approach and how they balance tempo with other factors like roster depth and in-game execution.

The details

In 2024, when Ohio State won the national championship, the team had one of the slowest tempos in college football. That approach continued in 2025, with the Buckeyes even slowing down further to an average of 31 seconds per play, ranking 136th out of 136 FBS teams. However, Day doesn't see the pace of play as a leading factor in their early exit from the College Football Playoff last season. He believes it ultimately comes down to execution, citing issues in the red zone that contributed to their defeat.

  • In 2019, Ryan Day's first full season as Ohio State's head coach, the team averaged 24 seconds per play, ranking 43rd in the FBS.
  • In 2024, when Ohio State won the national championship, they played a school-record 16 games, prompting them to consider limiting the number of snaps to help preserve the health of their roster.
  • In 2025, Ohio State's average time per play lengthened to 31 seconds, ranking 136th out of 136 FBS teams.

The players

Ryan Day

The head coach of the Ohio State football team, who has assessed the team's pace of play and prioritized efficiency over tempo.

Julian Sayin

The quarterback for Ohio State, who had some critical mistakes in the red zone that contributed to the team's early exit from the College Football Playoff.

Jayden Fielding

The kicker for Ohio State, who missed a 27-yard field goal attempt in the Big Ten championship game against Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“'It comes down to efficiency. If playing faster gives us more efficiency, that's fine, but ultimately it comes down to how we execute.'”

— Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State Football

“'You don't really see anyone playing fast in the NFL. Some people use it as a tempo changer, and some teams in college, that's what they do, they play really, really fast, and they count on that to wear teams down. That's their philosophy. To me, the number one thing is efficiency. That's what it comes down to.'”

— Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State Football

What’s next

Day mentioned during a March 31 press conference that the Buckeyes will probably have more depth on the roster in 2026, which could allow them to explore a faster pace of play if it gives them an edge.

The takeaway

Ohio State's focus on efficiency over pure tempo reflects a strategic approach that prioritizes execution and roster management over the latest offensive trends. While the Buckeyes may consider increasing their pace in the future, Day's comments suggest the team will continue to tailor its approach to maximize performance rather than chase a specific style of play.