Curt Cignetti Discusses Idea That OSU, Michigan Could Rest Players in Rivalry Game If CFP Expands

College football is about more than just who wins the national championship in a given season, and perhaps nothing underscores that more than the deep-seated rivalry and hatred between Ohio State and Michigan.

That is why the idea of the Buckeyes and Wolverines potentially resting their starters in their annual season-ending showdown if the College Football Playoff expands was met with derision from Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and others.

"Do you think Ohio State-Michigan, either of those teams are gonna rest their starters? Come on," Cignetti said, per Scott Dochterman of The Athletic.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel added, "I can't envision a world where that would happen."

Neither can anyone with an actual connection to the rivalry.

The winner of what is known as The Game gets yearlong bragging rights in the fiercest rivalry in the sport. It means as much, if not more, to some fans than winning the national title, and the legacy of coaches is often defined by whether they enjoy success in that game.

It is why there was genuine discussion about Ryan Day's job status despite his overall success when Ohio State lost a fourth straight game in the rivalry in 2024 before he course corrected and led the Buckeyes to the CFP national title that season and a win over the Wolverines in 2025.

At the same time, Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel are consistently celebrated by Buckeyes fans for dominating Michigan for a combined two decades prior to Day's arrival.

Yes, an expansion to a 24-team CFP field would likely diminish some of the results of the regular season with more teams clinching spots before the end of the regular season. But it also wouldn't take away from the overall importance of the sport's most notable rivalry games to fans who care so deeply.

After all, the intensity of the college basketball games between Duke and North Carolina is never dialed back even in seasons where both teams are locks to make the NCAA tournament.

For his part, Day expressed support for Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti's desire to expand the CFP and suggested there will be more teams playing important games down the stretch even if traditional powerhouses like his Buckeyes could have clinched their spot.

"It's clear that when you look at all 18 teams, that they're going to feel like Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, that they're fighting for a chance to get this Playoff, and that engages their fanbase," Day said. "It's hard to walk out of that room and not support what Tony's thoughts are on this."

Whether expansion ultimately takes away from the regular season or adds to it, it won't lead to Ohio State and Michigan overlooking the importance of The Game.

Even rival Big Ten coaches like Cignetti know that.