OHSAA Playoffs Expanding in 2021

[91raider97bobcat]

12 teams per region...top 4 seeds get a bye.

First and second round games to be at host sites, before moving to neutral sites.

https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articl ... fs-in-2021

[bsee12345]

This is a money flow measure by the OHSAA. With what we have seen happen with the end of the winter sports and complete cancellation of Springs sports this to me was a no brainer by the OHSAA. It will never recoup what it lost but Football is the money maker for the OHSAA- so adding a week of playoffs will increase revenue flow.

[formerfcfan]

Yep. Con the fanbases of 112 more schools that their team is playoff “worthy” and take their $$$ to the bank.

[Beergogglebluez]

Seems silly to me. But I’ll admit I’ll go watch the games. As someone mentioned with this virus going on and sports being cancelled it was a no brainer for money.

[Prince]

Yes about the money and more lopsided games .

[greygoose]

This was being discussed long before any virus hit so you guys saying that's their reasoning are pretty far off base. OHSAA had been saying an expansion was coming it was only a matter of how they might accomplish that. Looks like in order to finish up at the same time they'll need to start the season a week early once this takes effect. With the top 4 teams getting byes I don't think you'll see these big blow outs like most think, will there be some absolutely. I'll predict you see more 2nd round blowouts as you'll see some lower seeds make it out of round 1.

[wobycat]

Ehh. No big deal really. The final four usually are the best games.

[BigBlueNation]

This was being discussed long before any virus hit so you guys saying that's their reasoning are pretty far off base. OHSAA had been saying an expansion was coming it was only a matter of how they might accomplish that. Looks like in order to finish up at the same time they'll need to start the season a week early once this takes effect. With the top 4 teams getting byes I don't think you'll see these big blow outs like most think, will there be some absolutely. I'll predict you see more 2nd round blowouts as you'll see some lower seeds make it out of round 1.

I agree 100% on 2nd round blow outs. It might even be worse. Top 4 gets a week to rest up.

[EasternDspy]

When is more football a bad thing? The season is starting a week earlier which I love. Also now teams will be more willing to schedule big games in the Reg season. Also now a team won’t be crippled by an early season injury. Team you are week 1 is not the team you are week 11.

[teach1coach2]

Would not be surprised to see the number of private schools in the final 4 of each division go up. At 8 teams, some of the big privates who play a mostly private school schedule would occasionally end at school 9 or below and out. Ending 13 or below will happen much less often.

[Bumpy]

Gonna be a lot of 4-6 teams in the 11/12 seeds, and any 4-6 team outside the MAC does not deserve a playoff spot. This waters down the concept of making it to week 11, should have left it alone.

[Fletchlives]

Wow, why don't they just let all teams in like basketball (almost there now). Back in the day the top two teams in the region made it with only three divisions.

[Beergogglebluez]

Top 4 get a bye so week 2 does the top 4 get a home game? Does 5-8 get a home game week 1. Curious how it pans out.

[mattash]

This is awesome


So 5 v 12
6 v 11
7 v 10
8 v 9


Then reseed??

[Tartanblue]

Not a big fan of this move. Teams are going to be happy with making the playoffs, but I see a lot of lopsided games the first two weeks.

[FANOSPORTS]

More watering down. It's all about $$$ and now half the schools in the state will be able to proclaim they were playoff worthy yearly. Every Johnnie gets a playoff patch and that leaves us with more playoff blowouts than ever. Mediocrity is becoming the new normal for earning accomplishments in society as a whole nowadays anyway so it's par for the course. Just extend the season another week and let'em all in like the other sports but in this case the top 8 get a bye.

[teach1coach2]

#12 at #5..........winner at #4
#9 at #8...........winner at #1
Winner of top and winner of bottom line at neutral site.

#11 at #6..........winner at #3
#10 at #7..........winner at #2
Winner of top and winner of bottom line at neutral site.

Regional Final.

This proposal was written by the Zanesville Head Football and Zanesville Athletic Trainer (not AD). Submitted to Football Coaches Association long before the corona virus, but I tend to believe the chance to make money at a time OHSAA is financially hurting means a 9-0 vote to do it in 2021.

[petesweaty]

I have said this for years.
Play an 8 game regular season.
Let everybody in the playoffs.
Week 9 starts the playoffs.
Losers of Week 9 playoff game, plays a 10th game against another loser.

[FANOSPORTS]

Would not be surprised to see the number of private schools in the final 4 of each division go up. At 8 teams, some of the big privates who play a mostly private school schedule would occasionally end at school 9 or below and out. Ending 13 or below will happen much less often.

Agree more privates and parochials will be in the mix for sure with 4-6 & 5-5 records when playing better competition in regular season and will beat a lot of 1 and 2 loss higher seeded public schools in 2nd round. Good post.

[greygoose]

Top 4 get a bye so week 2 does the top 4 get a home game? Does 5-8 get a home game week 1. Curious how it pans out.

You are correct first 2 weeks of the playoffs will be already set as the seeding is host team. After that it goes to a neutral site.