Ohio State's blowout win against Tennessee gives Ryan Day much-needed second chance to face Oregon
The Ohio State Buckeyes heard the skepticism, complaints, and fatigue from a fan base tired of losing to Michigan and not winning the Big Ten and then rallied behind head coach Ryan Day. For the second time in the 2024 season, Day's Buckeyes were ready for a top-10 matchup after suffering a loss. With pressure […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes heard the skepticism, complaints, and fatigue from a fan base tired of losing to Michigan and not winning the Big Ten and then rallied behind head coach Ryan Day. For the second time in the 2024 season, Day's Buckeyes were ready for a top-10 matchup after suffering a loss.
With pressure mounting to an all-time high over the last 20-plus years, Day's Buckeyes answered. Ohio State's commanding 42-17 win featured a dominant performance from the jump. This game was never in doubt, and the Buckeyes won all three phases of the game.
Despite questions about whether Ohio State could win in the trenches, how they could manage adversity, and handle a stadium takeover attempt from Tennessee, nothing phased the Buckeyes. This was the type of showing everyone expected against Michigan.
The scars of losing to the Wolverines won't heal until next November, at the soonest. But Day's words about moving forward because they had to affected change. The Buckeyes made tangible adjustments on both sides of the ball and overwhelmed the Volunteers.
Ohio State almost doubled Tennessee's offensive production, finding passing lanes at will and wearing down their deep defensive line in the run game. The Buckeyes won the time of possession battle and overcame a spectacular interception in the interception.
In many ways, this was not the usual Buckeyes we've seen under Day in big games. They won in the margins and, notably, as the aggressor. This is the second time we've been able to say that against a top-10 team this season, with their win at Penn State marking the first.
The Buckeyes will go on to face Oregon on New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl. This will be a rematch of their previous matchup, where the Buckeyes lost in the waning seconds. Oregon did everything right and benefitted from a hostile home crowd.
Ohio State has suffered several major injuries and one incredible heartbreak since then. But they've also shown resiliency twice and punished Indiana and Tennessee for trying to prove they belonged on the same playing field.
Oregon certainly knows it can beat Ohio State, but are they the more mentally tough team now? Day and his Buckeyes might have finally cracked the code on how to unlock their immense potential by playing faster and more aggressively.
If he did, then Day's second lease on life at Ohio State could end with a national title in Columbus this January.
