The No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes went to Ann Arbor on Saturday for their biggest game of the season against the No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines with a College Football Playoff spot likely on the line. And yet again the Buckeyes were not able to get it done against their bitter rival.
Ohio State came into the game with a two-game losing streak to Michigan in back-to-back seasons. This is obviously a big deal because Michigan is usually always standing in Ohio State’s way of potentially winning a Big Ten Championship and a CFP spot.
It was a back-and-forth affair that both teams had a chance to win in the end. But Michigan was able to secure a 30-24 victory after Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord threw an interception with just 24 seconds remaining in the game.
Gus Johnson on the call for Michigan's game-sealing interception vs Ohio State. 🏈🎙️pic.twitter.com/85MtNdmlef
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 25, 2023
It’s obviously a crushing loss for Ohio State fans. And many are now calling for head coach Ryan Day to be fired after his latest failure against Michigan.
The job description of being the Ohio State football coach is to beat Michigan
Ryan Day’s legacy is losing 3 straight to them pic.twitter.com/rHGQxUySVW
— Sir Yacht (@SirYacht_) November 25, 2023
If you’re still defending Ryan Day’s tenure at Ohio State, that’s totally fine. You just value wins over Northwestern and Maryland more than you do the rivalry vs. Michigan. To each his own.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) November 25, 2023
True or False? ✍️
Ohio St. should fire Ryan Day. pic.twitter.com/FHFQFfu644
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 25, 2023
Fire Ryan Day!!!
— Adam the Bull (@adamthebull) November 25, 2023
Do you fire Ryan Day cause he can’t beat Michigan? pic.twitter.com/3sd9IfMbVo
— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) November 25, 2023
Former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett echoed the sentiments of angry Buckeyes fans in a message on social media about Day.
“Love you bro but gotta go,” tweeted Clarett. “This is why you’re paid millions. Can’t get paid 9 M’s and lose 3 straight.”
https://twitter.com/ReeseClarett13/status/1728514359821816153
The Buckeyes have been pretty great under Day on paper, so it may be a bit harsh to call for his firing at this point. Day has a 56-7 coaching record during his six-year tenure at Ohio State.
That being said, three of those losses have come against Michigan in the last three years. Simply put, a huge part of the job at Ohio State is beating Michigan each year.
The Wolverines will in all likelihood be heading to the College Football Playoff after this win. And Ohio State will need something miraculous to happen in order to earn their CFP bid.
