COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says the move to a new four-team FBS playoff system may mean not scheduling so many games against Mid-American Conference teams.
The Buckeyes have played MAC teams almost annually since ending a 58-year span without meeting an Ohio or MAC team in 1992. Ohio State has played MAC teams 20 times since then, sometimes two in the same season.
But Smith says the committee that will decide the final four teams in the playoffs starting in 2014 will take into consideration strength of schedule, meaning the Buckeyes likely will go for more name-brand opponents from big conferences.
“We’ll still play a MAC school on occasion, but not nearly as much as we have in the past,” he said.
