Connect with us

BASKETBALL

From The Athletic: Ryan Day’s Michigan problem is so much worse than Ohio State and its fans could have ever feared. For the fourth straight year, the Buckeyes folded under pressure against their rival.

Published

on

From The Athletic: Ryan Day’s Michigan problem is so much worse than Ohio State and its fans could have ever feared. For the fourth straight year, the Buckeyes folded under pressure against their rival.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s become an annual cliche from Ryan Day when he says the keys to beating Michigan are running the ball and winning the turnover battle.

He said it last year after Ohio State lost in Ann Arbor. He said it again after Saturday’s 13-10 loss to Michigan, his fourth in a row in the rivalry and one of the biggest upsets in series history.

“We have to run the ball, especially in this game,” said Day, who’s now 1-4 against the Wolverines. “We weren’t able to do that. We tried a couple different schemes, couldn’t quite get into a rhythm on that, and that ultimately, along with turnovers and missed field goals, was the difference in the game.”

Day has known that’s the case for four years. Yet each year, Ohio State gets into The Game against Michigan and folds under the pressure of the moment and the physicality of the Wolverines.

In 2021, Ohio State lost 42-27. In 2022, it was outscored 28-3 in the second half and gave up 252 rushing yards in a 45-23 loss. In 2023, Michigan was still the better team and ran for 156 yards on an improved Ohio State defense in a 30-24 Buckeyes loss.

The 2024 season was supposed to be different. It was indeed different for Ohio State on defense, but the offense, which is the brainchild of Day, faltered yet again.

Yes, the offensive line had a mountain of injuries to overcome, but Ohio State spent the entire year trying to become more unpredictable and versatile under new coordinator Chip Kelly, only for it to score 10 points and have 77 rushing yards against a middling Michigan team. It was the fewest points Ohio State has scored against an unranked team since 2011, when it lost 10-7 to Michigan State.

It’s Day’s first loss to an unranked opponent. It’s Michigan’s only ranked win in a seven-win season. It was an unacceptable and inexcusable performance by Day, one that ended Ohio State’s chances of a Big Ten championship and first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State didn’t look prepared on offense and was outcoached by Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. And if the result wasn’t enough evidence that Ohio State has a mental block against Michigan, the brawl afterward put an exclamation point on it.

Ohio State’s loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl last year didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of the program. The loss to Michigan that knocked the Buckeyes out of Playoff contention was the biggest game of the season, and Day left the game knowing things needed to change.

There were discussions behind the scenes by players about returning for one more year to beat Michigan. Ohio State went all in on that, bringing back 11 key seniors — including Jack Sawyer, who took the Michigan flag during the postgame brawl. It also added standout safety Caleb Downs (Alabama) in the transfer portal, along with quarterback Will Howard (Kansas State), center Seth McLaughlin (Alabama) and running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss).

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

BASKETBALL2 days ago

IS THE DAWN AWAKE YET?…Brittany Mahomes REVEALS Golden Raye’s Face for the First Time – Then Shares a SURPRISING Secret About Her Newborn!..see details below👇👇👇

BASKETBALL3 days ago

Video of Patrick Mahomes getting protective and a little jealous over Brittany Mahomes goes viral Full story here 👇

BASKETBALL7 days ago

PATRICK MAHOMES SAYS WE STARTED DATING WHEN I WAS A SOPHOMORE AND BRITTANY WAS A JUNIOR, AND WE’VE BEEN TOGETHER EVER SINCE THEN.READ MORE HERE

BASKETBALL1 week ago

Jackson Mahomes Appears to ‘Hard Launch’ New Relationship on Social Media

BASKETBALL1 week ago

Bruce Springsteen decides to join Robert De Niro in leaving the United States and moving to Canada out of a “lack of respect.”👇

BASKETBALL1 week ago

BREAKING NEWS: “20 Minutes Ago At The White House Emergency Unit” Russian Government Accused as President Donald Trump Is Rushed to Hospital After Taking a…Read More 👇👇

BASKETBALL1 week ago

BREAKING : Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Welcome Baby Boy: A New Chapter Begins… In a surprising yet heartwarming twist, global pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL superstar Travis Kelce have welcomed their first child together—a baby boy—despite never tying the knot. The couple, whose whirlwind romance has captivated fans and media alike, confirmed the news in a joint statement, expressing their joy and excitement for this new chapter. See full article👇

BASKETBALL1 week ago

BREAKING: Simone Biles Tragically Passes Away at 28 At Her Hometown After Devastating Car Accident. Her husband has just jetted down to confirm the devastating news…Full Story ⤵️

BASKETBALL1 week ago

Joy Behar Announces Plans to Move to Canada: “I Don’t Want to Live Under the Same Sky with Him” – Elon Musk Fires Back! In a move that has sent shockwaves across social media, Joy Behar, the outspoken co-host of The View, has declared that she will be leaving the United States to settle in Canada. Her reason? She refuses to live in the same country as Elon Musk.

BASKETBALL1 week ago

BREAKING: President Donald Trump Resigns From Office Moments Ago After Explosive White House Revelation Washington D.C. — In a twist worthy of a Netflix political thriller, former President Donald Trump has reportedly resigned from office moments ago following what insiders are calling an “explosive White House revelation” — and no, it’s not about alien contact (this time).

BASKETBALL1 week ago

Donna Kelce, 72, mother of NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, has Passed away unexpectedly. Her sudden death has shaken the sports world. Here’s what we know so far⤵️⤵️

BASKETBALL1 week ago

Breaking News: Taylor Swift announces the end of her legendary program and declares, “I will move to Canada and never return to the United States, I don’t want to breathe the same air as Elon Musk.”

Copyright © 2024 USAgets