COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- We have entered a new era in college football. The new 12-team College Football Playoff leads to potentially more games for Ohio State fans to watch and attend.
Under the new 12-team system, the five highest-ranked conference champions are in with the seven highest remaining teams rounding out the field. However, the new system means more uncertainty than years past with the possibility of four postseason games across one month for the Buckeyes.
Patrick Reynolds is the owner and manager of Reynolds Travel. He says his family is quite familiar with the habits of those backing the Scarlet and Gray. Reynolds is now the second generation to help connect fans with flights, hotels and transportation for out-of-state games.
“We just did the Oregon trip this year,” Reynolds said. “We took about 170 people out to Oregon and it was a great trip and everybody had a great time.”
The Big Ten Conference's western expansion gave Reynolds and his team just a taste of what a new, modified playoff system could have in store. What he says he can’t prepare for – all of the uncertainty surrounding when and where the Buckeyes will take the field.
“Most people in the industry want to deal in guarantees and they don't really like dealing in what-ifs, especially this close in. It makes it tough,” Reynolds said.
His advice for those set on attending one of the games - book early with this in mind: “I would book a refundable airline ticket and I would also book a refundable hotel room. If Ohio State does not move on, then the traveler can get out of the situation.”
The Buckeyes will host Tennessee in the first round of the playoff Saturday. If they win, they will travel to Pasadena to play Oregon in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. A victory over the top-ranked Ducks means Ohio State would play a semifinal in either Miami, Florida or Dallas, Texas before a possible national title game trip to Atlanta, Georgia on Jan. 20.
