Jake Trotter and Adam Rittenberg are two prominent ESPN Senior Writers who cover college football. Jake joined ESPN in 2011 after working at several newspapers. Adam has been with ESPN since 2008 and graduated from Northwestern University. In this article, we delve into the challenges and opportunities faced by Ohio State coach Ryan Day.

Low Point and Future Uncertainty

After a series of losses to rival Michigan and a disappointing season, Ohio State coach Ryan Day faced a critical moment. The team's sixth-year coach, who had an incredible start with 42 wins in his first 46 games, now had to deal with four consecutive losses to Michigan and mounting pressure. Only Urban Meyer had a better winning percentage among Ohio State coaches who lasted three or more seasons. However, despite the worst loss of his career, Ohio State advanced to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. The eighth-seeded Buckeyes will host No. 9 seed Tennessee in the first round.The future of Day as Ohio State coach in 2025 and beyond has been a hot topic. First-year athletic director Ross Bjork said he was confident Day would return regardless of the playoff outcome. But before the season, there were concerns that a loss to Michigan or a poor playoff performance could lead to a coaching change. Day is owed more than $38 million if fired, making a change difficult.

Pressure and Expectations

The pressure on Day is immense. Ohio State has a long history of success and expectations, and the Michigan game carries added significance. Since coach Woody Hayes came to Ohio State in 1951, the Buckeyes have become one of the most consistently elite teams in American sports. They have won 78% of their games since then and have had only three losing regular seasons.Woody Hayes led Ohio State to its first 10-0 season in 1954 and replicated the record in 1968 and 1973. Ohio State now has 32 seasons of 10 or more wins and has reached double figures in 19 of the past 22 years. The Michigan game often determines the Big Ten title and overshadows other achievements.

Historical Peers and Rivalries

Ohio State stands out from other college football powerhouses like Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas, USC, and Notre Dame due to its rivalry with Michigan. The Buckeyes play Michigan at the end of the regular season, with Big Ten title stakes on the line. The loser usually has to deal with disappointment for several weeks.In 2001, coach Jim Tressel's first Ohio State team lost five games but won against Michigan, fulfilling a promise. Tressel said players always wanted to talk about their record against Michigan.

Playoff Opportunities and Challenges

The expanded College Football Playoff gives new life to coaches and teams. Ohio State had a chance to achieve something greater after advancing to the playoffs. In 2022, the Buckeyes lost to Michigan but sneaked into the CFP as an at-large selection. They played Georgia in a semifinal and showed a newfound aggressiveness.Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a great performance against Georgia but a series of mishaps led to a loss. If they had won, they would have been favored to win the national title.

Player Pressure and Legacy

Senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka described the legacies attached to the veterans and their mission to change how they will be remembered. Quarterback C.J. Stroud admitted he would be remembered as a player who never beat Michigan or won the Big Ten. Tight end Cade Stover said the quarterback at Ohio State has the most pressure.Former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord had a successful season at Syracuse after leaving Ohio State. He was asked about outdueling Heisman finalist Cam Ward on the same day Ohio State lost to Michigan.

Offensive Coordinator and Criticism

Chip Kelly was recruited by Ryan Day to be the offensive coordinator. But against Michigan, the running game was ineffective, and Jeremiah Smith had a poor performance. The brunt of the criticism fell on Day, but he said they will learn from the loss and focus on the playoff.In conclusion, Ohio State football is in a critical period with Ryan Day at the helm. The team faces challenges and opportunities in the College Football Playoff and must overcome the pressure of the Michigan rivalry to achieve success.