Ryan Day on if Ohio State is a CFP team: 'This team can play with anybody in the country'

After what’s becoming an all-too-familiar scene for Ryan Day Ohio State , the head coach was asked in defeat how his squad stacks up as a potential College Football Playoff team. Minutes after a 30-24 loss to arch rival , Day said he hasn’t had a chance to fully assess yet.

The Buckeyes can hang with the best of the best still, Day said, and a six-point loss on the road to another undefeated team isn’t exactly a massive blemish. But with other one-loss teams potentially finishing on stronger notes, Day isn’t sure where his team stands.

“I think we have a veteran team. I think we have a team that is solid in all three phases and I’d have to kind of see what else is out there, honestly. I’ve just been so focused on this game. I appreciate the question, I just don’t have a great answer for you right now. But I do believe this team can play with anybody in the country,” Day said postgame.

There’s recent precedent for Ohio State to make the CFP after losing The Game, as the Buckeyes did so last season and nearly beat in a semifinal. But the field this time around around Ohio State appears to be stronger — could all be one-loss conference champions. And Alabama being a one-loss champion would create one-loss Georgia, likely another team ahead of the Buckeyes if neither hold a conference title.

Whether Day had a chance to assess the picture after the first loss of the season or not, the picture isn’t great for Ohio State to make the College Football Playoff, barring a string favorable results the rest of Week 13 and in conference championship games.

“Just playing in this game, everything is so focused on this game. I’d have to kind of process that,” Day said. “I think we have a very good team. We came up short today and it’s devastating. But I believe in our players.”