Big Ten Banter: Pressure on Ryan Day, Ohio State to Win Big in 2024

Ohio State returns several key starters on offense and defense. The Buckeyes plucked some top talent out of the transfer portal. After three straight losses to Michigan, the pressure is on Ryan Day to win big in 2024.

Ryan Day lives in a world not many of us can comprehend. It’s a place where a 56-8 record, three College Football Playoff appearances and two Big Ten championships in five seasons isn’t good enough. Such is life at Ohio State.

It’s probably premature to say Day is on the “hot seat.” But Day’s three straight losses to Michigan overshadow all of his other accomplishments to fans who live and die with the Buckeyes. The pressure will be on the Ohio State coach to end that losing streak and start winning Big Ten titles again.

Fortunately for Day, there are plenty of positives that could return Ohio State to the top of the college football world next season.

The Buckeyes return nine defensive starters from a unit that allowed just 11.2 points per game last season, which ranked second nationally. That includes defensive linemen Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams and J.T. Tuimoloau, who combined for 14.5 of Ohio State’s 28 sacks .

Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom all return in the secondary, and they accounted for 19 pass break-ups and four interceptions. Plus, the Buckeyes swiped former Alabama safety Caleb Downs, who hit the transfer portal following Nick Saban’s retirement. As a freshman in Tuscaloosa, the defensive back tallied 70 tackles and two interceptions.

Ohio State’s defense has the chance to be really special in 2024.

But where the Buckeyes need to make significant improvement is on the offensive side — which is Day’s expertise. The combination of returning talent and transfer portal additions should put Ohio State in an opportunistic spot.

Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard committed to Ohio State following Kyle McCord’s departure. The former Wildcat gives the Buckeyes a dual-threat option, after throwing for 2,643 yards, rushing for 351 more and accounting for 33 total touchdowns.

Starting running back TreVeyon Henderson and second-leading receiver Emeka Egbuka both bypassed the 2024 NFL Draft to return to Columbus next season. Plus, the Buckeyes picked up a transfer pledge from former Ole Miss 1,000-yard rusher Quinshon Judkins.

Four offensive line starters return — Josh Simmons, Josh Fryar, Donovan Jackson and Carson Hinzman. Former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin is also transferring to Ohio State.

Beginning to see why this might be Day’s best – and maybe even final – opportunity to show he can beat Michigan and re-establish Ohio State as the top dog in the Big Ten? You could argue that, in 2024, the Buckeyes will field their most-talented and experienced team since Day took over in 2019.

The other reason Ohio State is in a favorable position? Jim Harbaugh is leaving Michigan for the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers. On top of that, the Wolverines will have to replace 10 of its 11 offensive starters from the national championship team. In total, they're losing 18 starters or contributors from last year's squad, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum. 

Yes, the Big Ten is adding Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington to the mix next season. That inherently makes life more difficult for the 14 teams already in the league, including Ohio State. But the Buckeyes only play one of those newcomers, traveling to Euguene for a showdown with the Ducks on Oct. 12.

Ohio State also plays at Penn State on Nov. 2 and closes out the year against Michigan on Nov. 30 in Columbus. It’s not a cakewalk, but it’s about as favorable of a schedule as any team could receive, given the circumstances.

Everything sets up nicely for Ohio State to win the only game that matters to most Buckeye fans and make a legitimate run at a national championship.

Day hasn’t been unsuccessful over the last three years by most standards. The Buckeyes are 33-6, finishing in the top-10 each year and making a College Football Playoff appearance in 2022. But it’s the 0-3 record against Michigan and failure to claim a Big Ten title in the past three seasons that have fans irritated with their coach’s results.

Ohio State is also going through an administrative change. There’s a new school president, Ted Carter, and athletic director, Ross Bjork, who will be keeping a watchful eye on the Buckeyes in 2024.

After all, the people in charge like having “their guy” in place. If things don’t go according to plan in Columbus, Bjork might have a quick trigger.

While it’s still too early to consider Day’s job in jeopardy, he does face pressure to return Ohio State to the top of the college football mountain. Over the last three years, a championship-caliber Michigan squad has stood in the way.

In 2024, there will be no more excuses for Day. He went 11-2 last year, which at most schools would mean a parade and a pay raise. At Ohio State, that simply is not good enough when you can’t beat Michigan and compete for a national title. 

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