Ryan Day sees pressure ramped up as Ohio State struggles vs. Michigan

Ryan Day has been in this position before. However, it has to feel a bit different — and dangerous — for the head coach of the Buckeyes this year.

Coming into 2024, Ohio State is riding a 3-game losing streak in The Game. One loss to Michigan is bad enough. Three is horrific.

And on Saturday, the Buckeyes are back in the familiar place of struggling against the Wolverines. Only this time, Ohio State entered as a nearly 3-touchdown favorite at home in The Game.

Needless to say, that has not played out throughout the first half. The Buckeyes have come up with an empty trip inside the red zone on a missed field goal, and Will Howard threw a disastrous interception that led to Michigan’s first touchdown of the game.

Overall, Michigan controlled the first half and held a 10-3 lead ahead of halftime. The Buckeyes were finally able to get a drive going and cash in a touchdown to Jeremiah Smith to make it 10-all at halftime, but that’s far from enough to make OSU fans feel safe at the break.

Here’s how fans and media alike reacted to a wild first half in Columbus:

We all agree that if Michigan beats OSU Ryan Day is done right?

— Lyric (@PreacherLyric41) November 30, 2024

If Ryan Day losses this game he’s gotta be fired right ???

— Amir Howard (@Mirmir72) November 30, 2024

Ohio State is on their way to losing this game bad, at home. If that happens then Ryan Day should never wear the scarlet and gray again. Not even for the rest of this season

— Brandonator54 (@BrandoDanko) November 30, 2024

Ryan Day the people are watching

— HenceSZN (@MP1TheGoat) November 30, 2024

Jim Harbaugh really may have done deep psychological damage to Ryan day where he genuinely believes if he can’t run the football on Michigan he’s less of a man

— coach papa john (@CoachPapaJohn) November 30, 2024

We need to score this drive. Ohio State is playing tight. Go up 14-3 and Ryan Day will choke the game away. ##GoBlue

— Lefty Loading…. (@4_Ben_Media) November 30, 2024

Ryan Day can be a great coach but he cannot be the coach of Ohio State.

— 76 YEARS (@bennyhanna2467) November 30, 2024

Legit think there’s like a 10% chance the crowd storms the field and hangs Ryan Day at midfield if Ohio State loses this.

— Beau Rehner (@BeauRehner) November 30, 2024

Ryan Day’s ego keeping this a close game. Quit trying to prove your point running the ball and start slinging it to these playmakers.

— Dave Moe (@Davmoe11) November 30, 2024

Ryan Day is about 2.5qrts away from looking for a new job on LinkedIn.

— Bryce (@BryceS89) November 30, 2024

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.