The Ohio State Buckeyes and Ryan Day were determined to make this year different. After losing to the Michigan Wolverines for three straight years, the stage was set for them to get some much-needed payback. The Wolverines have struggled this year on offense. The Buckeyes brought back many of their best players and hit the transfer portal for more. Their only loss on the season was a respectable one-point loss to the Oregon Ducks, the number-one team in the nation. The game was at home! None of it mattered as Michigan took down the Buckeyes for the fourth straight year. After the game, Ohio State fans are calling for Ryan Day to be removed.
Ohio State Fans Livid With Ryan Day
Ohio State fans are not holding back on Ryan Day. One fan called this loss “one of the worst” he has ever seen. Another called it the worst moment of his life before calling for the head coach to be canned. These are just some of the many upset fans taking to social media to call for a change in head coach. Many fans posted images of Day looking like a deer in headlights after the game or other various gifs stating the lack of adjustments in the game.
It was an embarrassing performance. The Wolverines only completed nine passes for 62 yards and threw two interceptions, including one on the goal line. Michigan only found the endzone once and scored three points in the second half. However, the Ohio State offense could not find any rhythm. Will Howard threw two interceptions of his own and only had one drive that looked comfortable. After the game-changing interception by Jack Sawyer, the offense went three and out and gave the ball back immediately. This is the reason fans are calling for Day’s job.
Coaching Record
Ryan Day looks good on paper. He is 66-10 (after today) in his seven years with Ohio State. Winning 88% of your games is a great way to keep your job. On top of that, he has won two Big Ten championships and appeared in the College Football Playoff three times. However, a closer look at the numbers shows why fans are so upset with their head coach. Day is now 1-4 against Michigan. Regardless of any other numbers, the Ohio State job is judged by beating their hated rival. Dropping four straight is not a great way to keep your job. The numbers against winning teams are worse.
Ryan Day is a mediocre 11-8 against top 10 teams during his coaching tenure with the Buckeyes. Today’s loss was his first loss against an unranked opponent. Furthermore, it is only the fifth time and first since 1993 that Ohio State has lost to an unranked Michigan team. While fans have had to endure some losing to ranked teams, they take care of business against inferior opponents. However, coaches are often judged on how they do on the biggest stage. It’s great to beat Rutgers, Purdue, and Minnesota every year, but this program wants championships.
Can He Save His Job?
The season isn’t over. Ohio State is likely still in the College Football Playoff hunt as an at-large team. If they run the table and win the national championship, this loss will sting, but Day will likely keep his job. However, that will be difficult to do. There are many quality teams out there, and the Buckeyes will have to win three in a row against ranked teams, something Ryan Day has shown he cannot do. The university will not fire him right now with the postseason looming, but he is on thin ice.
Many fans are already assuming a change in head coach is inevitable. If this job does open up, it will be one of the hottest jobs in the cycle. Whoever is on the sidelines next year will be under immense pressure to succeed against ranked teams and against their rivals. Will Ryan Day be able to recover, or is his time in Columbus coming to an end?
