With another massively disappointing loss to Michigan on Saturday the 30th, Ohio State fans are left bitter and in desperate need of a change. There are endless complaints ranging from the mentality of the players to their skill. However, one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it all starts with the coaching.
If there is one thing that is not allowed for an Ohio State coach, it is four straight losses in the biggest rivalry in CFB. In the nearly six years that Ryan Day has held the title of head coach, the Buckeyes have played the “State up North” a total of five times. In that duration Day has only led his team to a single victory, that being his first year coaching in 2019. Every year after that has been a brutal loss with the exception of 2020 when Michigan played hookie on “The Game” due to Covid. To lose these games has quickly become unacceptable within the fan base and has tanked the prestige of the University.
This year in particular has been very precarious for Day and his job. As usual, Ohio State started off the season ranked very high at number two in the country. They went undefeated until October twelfth in a close match against number one ranked Oregon,, which left Buckeye fans broken hearted, but hopeful for a rematch later on in the Big 10 Championship. Those hopes were shattered with an embarrassing loss to unranked Michigan. The loss dropped Ohio State down to a number six ranking, leaving them with no Big 10 Championship to speak of and extreme animosity towards Ryan Day.
Now the Buckeyes are set to play number seven Tennessee at home for the first round of the CFB playoffs. Ohio State’s Athletic Director, Ross Bjork, had given Day his vote of confidence to succeed in the playoffs. Despite that, most analysts agree that in order to keep his job, Day would need to win the National Championship. It is an extremely tall order for Day and the Buckeyes to make it that far. In order to even make it to the final game, the Buckeyes would need to beat Tennessee, Oregon and then potentially Texas and Georgia. Not to mention that Day is 2-4 in playoff games, making his chances of success slim to none.
It suffices to say that Ryan Day does indeed have his work cut out for him this fine football season. To take home the National Championship title is no easy feat, and arguably one that the head coach is not cut out for. Perhaps Ohio State fans will finally get their wishes granted and be able to kiss him goodbye! Or maybe a streak of luck will finally find its way onto the team. Although nobody will know for sure if it will be Ohio against the world, or just another Day.
