Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has made it clear that he believes a major structural change is overdue in college football, particularly when it comes to the hash marks. In an interview with Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt in 2023, Day expressed his opinion that the current hash mark placement is outdated and does not reflect the modern evolution of the sport.

“The hash marks,” Day said when asked what change he would make to the game. “I think those hash marks were built for football a long time ago. You know, I think like the NBA has made their adjustments. College (basketball) has made their adjustment — they moved the three-point line. They’ve made adjustments. We haven’t.”

Day’s argument is rooted in the increasing athleticism and creativity seen in today’s college football offenses. Over the past decade, offenses have evolved into high-speed, explosive units that leverage space and tempo to break down defenses. Programs like Tennessee, under head coach Josh Heupel, have exemplified this style of play. Heupel’s up-tempo offense, which thrives on wide splits and an accelerated pace, creates immense challenges for opposing defenses. By positioning wide receivers far outside the numbers — a strategy that works particularly well in college football due to the wider hash marks — Heupel stretches defenses to the brink, forcing defensive coordinators to account for vast swaths of the field.

For coaches like Ryan Day, this creates a game that sometimes feels unbalanced. College football’s hash marks are spaced further apart than in the NFL, which leads to a significant difference in the amount of field space available on either side of the ball. When the ball is placed on one of the wider college hash marks, the short side of the field becomes cramped, while the wide side presents an abundance of space for offenses to exploit. Teams like Tennessee capitalize on this discrepancy, forcing defenses to cover a field that feels disproportionately large.

Day’s solution? Move the hash marks closer to the center of the field, similar to the layout used in the NFL. “Putting the ball in the middle of the field, more like in the NFL, opens up the entire game,” Day explained. By doing so, Day argues that it would create a fairer balance between offense and defense while also promoting a more modernized version of the sport.

His comments, however, also reflect an underlying frustration for defensive-minded coaches and those who prefer more traditional, balanced offensive styles. Programs like Ohio State, which boast elite athletes but operate more conventionally, have had to adapt to counter spread-based, up-tempo offenses. Tennessee, under Heupel, has become a poster child for how effective these tactics can be. In 2022, the Vols’ offense ranked first in the nation, averaging over 46 points per game, thanks in large part to their ability to stretch the field and operate at breakneck speed.

Heupel’s offense places immense pressure on defensive schemes that are already challenged by the physicality and speed of today’s athletes. With wide splits and hash mark spacing, defensive backs are often isolated in one-on-one matchups, while linebackers are forced to cover a vast amount of territory. The tempo only exacerbates these issues, leaving defenses gasping for breath as offenses push the ball downfield with ruthless efficiency.

Ryan Day’s call for change isn’t necessarily about undermining teams like Tennessee. Instead, it highlights a broader conversation about the evolution of college football and whether the game’s structure still aligns with its modern demands. The NBA and college basketball have made adjustments, as Day noted, to accommodate evolving play styles and improve competitive balance. For instance, moving the three-point line helped reshape the spacing and pace of basketball. Day believes football should follow suit, with hash mark adjustments being the logical starting point.

If Day’s proposal were implemented, it would undoubtedly impact how offenses operate. Wide splits, for example, would lose some of their effectiveness, as moving the ball to the center of the field would limit the extreme space that up-tempo teams currently exploit. At the same time, defenses would benefit from a more balanced field, making it easier to contain explosive plays and execute tighter coverage schemes.

While there is no indication that college football is close to implementing such a change, Day’s comments add fuel to a growing debate. As offenses continue to push the boundaries of innovation, defensive coaches and traditionalists are increasingly questioning whether the current rules and structures of the game still promote a level playing field.

For now, coaches like Josh Heupel will continue to exploit the advantages provided by the wide hash marks, while voices like Ryan Day’s will keep advocating for change. Whether or not college football takes action, one thing is certain: the debate over the game’s evolution is far from over.