Ryan Day is in a precarious position right now! Unlike most other programs, going 10-1 isn’t enough for Ohio State. Their final game against Michigan is particularly important as they’re looking for their first win since 2019. For Day, losing to Michigan in The Game for three straight seasons is one of his worst life experiences. This season is his chance to make things right. But would a win against Sherrone Moore‘s Wolverines boost his credibility? 

The host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd doesn’t think so. In a new YouTube episode on November 28, Colin Cowherd warned, “Ohio State and Ryan Day’s in a weird spot. Everybody’s like he’s got to beat Michigan. The problem is when he does, he’s not going to get any credit, you’re like Harbaugh’s gone.” Michigan was a force to reckon under their former HC Jim Harbaugh who led them to a National Championship last year. But under Moore, the Wolverines are far from what they were last season as they slipped to No. 7 in the Big Ten with a 6-5 record. 

Again, Cowherd feels that if they beat Michigan and advance to the Big Ten Championship against No. 1 Oregon and defeat them, they won’t get any credit either. It would be seen as a sort of “revenge” game after Dan Lanning and the Ducks defeated the Buckeyes earlier in the season in a close 32-31 victory, OSU’s only defeat. But another pressure awaits Ryan Day even in a scenario where they win the Big Ten Championship. 

Cowherd added, “It’s weird if he beats Michigan and Oregon, and beating Oregon anywhere is hard, and then he goes and plays Tennessee and he loses his first game when they spent $20 million, people are going to be all over him.” Ohio State, a team bought and paid to win a Natty, has the most expensive football roster in the CFB which is reportedly around $20 million. If Ryan Day misses the ultimate target this season, it will mark a decade since they won a National Championship game. But the real pressure will begin on Saturday at The Game. 

Ryan Day should beat Michigan to save his job

Ryan Day’s currently in a tough spot. But if you look at his record at Ohio State, not many could match his success as a HC as he went 66-9 since 2019. It’s always when the national title is just a few games away, the Buckeyes slip out of the race. But this season isn’t going to be a season of excuses. 

As ESPN’s Heather Dinich stressed, Ryan Day can’t afford to lose their upcoming rivalry game. She said on The Pat McAfee Show, “I’ve talked to him multiple times about the pressure that comes with this game, but he’s right. He can’t lose, especially this year. Everyone knows this. There’s zero reason.” Winning The Game would almost solidify the Buckeyes’ chance for the conference title but losing would mean a series of heartbreaking events which could impact the coaching staff. Day’s job is hanging by a thread. The only thing he can hope for right now is that history doesn’t repeat itself.