Chris Wilds
For the fourth consecutive season, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day found himself on the losing end of The Game, as the Buckeyes fell 13–10 to archrival Michigan in a stunning upset at Ohio Stadium. Once heavily favored, Ohio State’s superior talent, a standout quarterback, a depleted Michigan squad missing its best offensive and defensive players, and pregame momentum coming off two top five wins in the past month, proved meaningless as Day’s conservative play-calling and questionable decisions again came under fire.
Buckeye Nation’s Patience Wears Thin
The loss sent shockwaves through the Buckeye faithful, with fans taking to social media to vent their frustration.
“A mockery. A disgrace. This was not a game it was an abomination. Day must go!”
One fan requested, “Ryan Day…Please clean out your desk and return your keycard to the WHAC before leaving today.”
“Ryan Day deserves to be fired NOW,” another fan tweeted.
One disheartened fan wrote, “That was perhaps the worst game I’ve watched the Buckeyes play in 45 years. Just an abomination from a spoiled, entitled, and unprepared team.”
Day’s struggles in high-stakes matchups have led many to question his ability to deliver in key moments. As one fan stated “If Ryan Day does not get fired, it will be a travesty. Year after year, he has proven he can’t coach a team to an important win.”
OHIO Podcast host Eric Boggs stated, “I am broken. I haven’t wanted to admit it, but Ryan Day is John Cooper.”
Since taking over as Ohio State’s full-time head coach in 2019, Day boasts an impressive 66-10 overall record. His .678 winning percentage (19-9) against teams ranked in the Top 25 is third among active head coaches, trailing only Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Kalen DeBoer (Alabama). However, these numbers are overshadowed by his inability to secure wins in critical moments.
Day’s record against teams in the Top Five is an underwhelming 3-6, with a recent victory over No. 3 Penn State snapping a four-game losing streak. While this is better than former coach Jim Tressel’s 10-8 record against Top Ten teams, it pales in comparison to Urban Meyer’s 13-4 mark during his tenure in Columbus.
The Michigan Problem
The most glaring issue for Day is his record against Michigan. The Wolverines have now won four consecutive games against Ohio State, their longest streak in the rivalry since 1988–1993. This latest loss is especially painful, as Michigan entered the game unranked and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent college football history.
“It’s one of the worst things that’s happened to me in my life, quite honestly,” Day admitted earlier in the week when reflecting on past losses to Michigan. After Saturday’s defeat, it is hard to imagine that sentiment has not intensified.
An Uncertain Future
While Ohio State’s 11-2 record should secure them a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, fans are questioning whether Day is the right leader to take the Buckeyes to the next level. His conservative approach on Saturday, coupled with poor offensive decision-making, left many wondering if Ohio State’s success is being squandered under his leadership.
Day’s struggles against Michigan and in high-stakes games raise a critical question for Ohio State’s administration: Can Ryan Day deliver when it matters most? Or has his time in Columbus run its course?
For now, the seat beneath him is not just warm—it is scorching. And for many Buckeye fans, nothing less than a championship performance in the playoffs will cool it down.
