The Ohio State Buckeyes football team bowed to the Michigan Wolverines for the third straight time in The Game.
It hurts to lose to a bitter rival, but that Saturday game is no ordinary encounter between the two as it has more at stake than the previous ones.
The 24-30 loss by the Buckeyes meant they missed the Big Ten title game.
If others' overreactions are to be entertained, coach Ryan Day does not have an answer to their rivals as he is now 0-3 against the Wolverines since taking over.
The Buckeyes hold themselves in high regard in the Big Ten competition, and if they fail in their last three tries to get there, facing the same opponent, what more can they do?
Alum and fans have one solution - call it a night for Ryan Day.
Does the clamor have a ground? Buckeyes' legendary former coach Urban Meyer thinks it is too early to entertain that idea.
"Reality is, is he under fire? Yeah, he is. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, and he's the Ohio State head football coach," he said.
"And that's real. You just feel for the families, you feel for Ryan Day's family. But it's a big-boy business. He's a big boy. He'll handle it, come back, and you know what, go back in January, get back to work, find a way to beat the Wolverines. That's the whole focus."
Is Meyer right in defending Day?
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These are three reasons why Ohio should not fire Ryan Day:
1. He is still an elite-level coach.
His record stands out. A 56-7 win-loss slate compares to almost none in college football.
However, there is a level his team has trouble reaching - owning the big state.
There is a wide talent gap between the Buckeyes and the rest, but that gap gets narrowed down against real competition. They had seven games against powerhouse teams, and Day only won once. They fought Clemson twice (2019-2020), Alabama (2020), Oregon (2021), and Michigan (2021-2023).
The last big game he won was against the Wolverines in 2019.
But this should not dictate the legend of Day as Buckeyes coach. Their program is doing well under his helm, and they could get to another level before the start of next season.
2. His program is flourishing.
Day is the director of a fully operational battle station in college football. They have an effective five-star player recruitment, development, and preparation for the NFL. Ohio State might not have the bragging rights right now against Michigan, but Day's program is futuristic. The two most recent Ohio State quarterbacks now start in the professional American football league.
He and his staff also develop players effectively and quickly, with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. expected to reach new heights next year.
3. No perfect replacement available.
Replacing Day will be a tall task due to the unavailability of coaches who have the same skillset as him.
Day is under contract until 2028 and will earn $9.5 million annually. A buyout will have him paid $46.22 million.
That could dent the Buckeyes' search for a new coach. They need someone willing to take less and coach a team with high standards.
Meyer should be the best replacement, given his record and success during his tenure with the Buckeyes, but it is highly unlikely.
Another reason is the arrival of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington from the Pac-12 to expand the Big Ten Championships. An overhaul might become detrimental instead.
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