Ryan Day Responds to Michigan Setback with Unwavering Resolve, Leading Ohio State Toward National Championship

Ryan Day and the No. 8-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes are set to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship following a 28-14 victory over the No. 5-seeded Texas Longhorns in Friday night’s Cotton Bowl. This win at AT&T Stadium secures their spot in the national title game, continuing their strong performance in the inaugural year of the expanded 12-team playoff. Prior to defeating Texas, Ohio State had earned dominant wins over the No. 9 seed Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks. However, despite their recent success, the Buckeyes’ 2024 regular season ended with a major disappointment, as they were stunned by an unranked Michigan team at home, in a game where they were 20-point favorites. This loss, marking Ryan Day’s fourth straight defeat to the Wolverines, sparked intense criticism about Ohio State’s ability to perform in crucial matchups. After their win over Texas, Day was asked about how his team has responded to the Michigan loss. “When you look at the guys in our program, you see toughness, resilience, and a deep sense of brotherhood. You see guys who love being Buckeyes,” Day said, sitting alongside quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Jack Sawyer.

“The story of this team is still unfolding. No major achievement is possible without facing challenges—that’s just the reality,” Day explained. “We’ve encountered our fair share of adversity, and that’s part of life. I reminded the team of that. Our focus isn’t on what’s ahead or what’s behind us; it’s on the present moment and where we stand right now. In the end, we want to be able to share the story of this team.” Day and the Buckeyes will take on the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game next Monday.