Is Ohio State’s Ryan Day in Jeopardy After Third Consecutive Loss to Michigan?

Thanksgiving week in Ohio is all about family, gratitude, and most importantly, beating Michigan.

Earlier this week, former Ohio State coach, Jim Tressel, emphasized the significance of The Game to the Ohio State family. Having won nine of 10 games against Michigan as a head coach, Tressel made it clear that there is nothing more crucial than this contest. He stated, “Whenever the old guys come back, all they talk about is what their record was in that game. They don’t talk about how many Big Ten championships (they won), or if they went to the national championship. It’s, ‘I was there four or five years and this was my record.’ Nothing long-term is as big as this game.”

He closed with a powerful mantra: “Don’t be the loser.”

Comparatively, Ryan Day is undeniably a successful coach with a remarkable 56-6 head coaching record at Ohio State. However, the maize-and-blue blemish on his record is hard to ignore.

Having lost more games to Michigan in just three meetings as a head coach compared to Tressel’s 10, Day also falls short of Urban Meyer’s impressive 7-0 record against Michigan. Heading into Saturday’s game, Day is 1-2 against the Wolverines with a two-game losing streak, facing a Michigan favored by 3.5 points.

If Ohio State loses on Saturday, it would mark their longest losing streak since 1995-97, leaving an entire class of students without witnessing an Ohio State win over the archrival. The potential defeat is a cause for concern for Ohio State fans.

Despite Day’s success, the failure to conquer Michigan has left fans frustrated. His Peach Bowl loss and mastery in player recruitment, development, and preparation for the NFL don’t overshadow the Michigan rivalry, which continues to sting.

Rivalry games carry significant weight in college football. A win against a rival can redefine a coach’s career, as seen in examples like Hugh Freeze and Tommy Tuberville. Day’s next game against Michigan could either dispel the growing concerns about his tenure or instigate unwarranted backlash. Regardless, Ohio State’s program is larger than just one game.

While a loss would undoubtedly spark heated discussions, replacing Day would be unwise. It could potentially set the program back and negatively impact one of college football’s most notable rivalries. Victory in The Game holds immense value and altering Day’s leadership would disrupt that and disappoint fans.