The questions persist each time Ryan Day seems on TV or social media.
Does he or doesn’t? How can a 45-year-old teaching in certainly one of sports activities hottest strain cookers preserve that coal black hair and beard?
If it’s pure, congratulations to him.
If not, all the world might get to see the beginning of the graying transformation come Saturday afternoon in Columbus if heavily-favored No. 2 Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Huge Ten) is upset by Michigan in The Sport, the title given to one of many fiercest rivalries in sports activities.
Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Huge Ten) has not solely gained the previous three conferences, however these wins led to 3 straight convention titles and, to the dismay of Buckeye followers in every single place, the 2023 nationwide championship.
Now, Day faces the most important recreation of his profession since changing City Meyer after the 2018 season.
Meyer, by the way in which, was 7-0 in opposition to Michigan. These numbers are smack dab in the course of the brand for his restaurant outdoors Columbus.
Nobody is able to construct an eatery, a lot much less a statue for Day, though his teaching résumé would make most fan bases envious.
Not in Ohio’s capital metropolis.
Overlook Day’s 66-9 file (.800), a 46-4 mark within the Huge Ten; his 11-8 file vs. top-10 groups whereas going 4-6 in opposition to top-5 opponents; a 47-0 file vs. unranked groups; two Huge Ten titles; and three School Soccer Playoff appearances (2019, 2020, 2022).
After benefiting from about $20 million in NIL cash to entice standout transfers akin to security Caleb Downs, quarterback Will Howard, working again Quinshon Judkins and middle Seth McLaughlin, in addition to utilizing funds for a dozen gamers who determined to remain for one more crack on the Wolverines as an alternative of coming into the NFL draft, Day has to, no, should beat Michigan.
“I am enthusiastic about this recreation,” Day mentioned Tuesday. “I am enthusiastic about this crew. I really like the look of their eye. I really like coming to work daily. However this isn’t about me. It is about these seniors that determined to come back again. … They wish to have {hardware}. That is what motivates me. I am excited for them to exit and play this factor and go win it.”
The worry of Buckeye followers is falling again to the John Cooper period from 1988-2000, when Michigan owned a 10-2-1 file. He was adopted by Jim Tressel and Meyer, who mixed to go 16-2.
Day, many overlook, added a win in his first strive in 2019 in opposition to Jim Harbaugh. The next season, The Sport was cancelled at Michigan’s request due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though any diehard Ohio State fan will inform you Harbaugh was ducking taking part in a Buckeye crew led by Justin Fields that reached the nationwide title recreation.
Meaning the final win by Ohio State was 5 lengthy years in the past.
Don’t suppose Day feels the pressure?
On his Sport Time with Ryan Day weekly TV present on Monday, he mentioned the three straight losses are among the many worst issues that ever occurred to him, together with his father committing suicide when he was younger.
“Apart from shedding my father and some different issues, prefer it’s fairly truthfully, for my household, the worst factor that is occurred,” he mentioned. “So, we are able to by no means have that occur once more ever. And that is been the method all season.”
Roger Harper, an Ohio State security who went 0-3-1 vs. Michigan from 1989-92, recounted in the latest subject of the periodical Buckeye Sports activities Bulletin a gathering Day had within the offseason with him and different former Buckeyes.
“He had us all collectively,” Harper mentioned. “And he mentioned, ‘Hey, fellas, you guys know that O-H-I-O chant we are saying? These final two letters—I owe you guys. That is going to be a different 12 months for us.’ ”
Harper mentioned he appreciated the gesture, however actions communicate louder than phrases.
“Ryan Day has advised us, he said himself, I owe you guys,” he mentioned. “So, we’re going to see come (Saturday) the place we’re at on that. Betrigger if he doesn’t win, it’s going to be ugly. They’re going proper for his head.”
