Ryan Day admits he knew Ohio State was winning a National Championship before the Buckeyes even played Notre Dame

Ryan Day, the head coach of Ohio State football, has long been a confident and calculated leader, but his recent comments have given fans and analysts alike a new glimpse into his mindset during the 2025 season. Day admitted in a recent interview that he knew Ohio State had the potential to win a National Championship before the Buckeyes even stepped onto the field against Notre Dame that year. This bold assertion has not only turned heads but also added a layer of intrigue to Ohio State’s trajectory during the season.

In this piece, we’ll explore the significance of Day’s admission, how it reflects his confidence in the team’s capabilities, and what this means for Ohio State as they continue their pursuit of a National Championship. Day’s leadership, coupled with the Buckeyes’ talent, has created an atmosphere in Columbus that suggests the Buckeyes are always in the hunt for college football’s biggest prize. But what exactly led to his certainty? Let’s take a deeper dive into this fascinating topic.

Ryan Day’s Leadership and Mindset

Ryan Day’s leadership style has been central to Ohio State’s success in recent years. When he took over as the Buckeyes’ head coach in 2018, following Urban Meyer’s retirement, Day stepped into a massive role. Meyer had established Ohio State as a national powerhouse, and Day was tasked with continuing that success. And while Day inherited an established program, he brought his own flair, emphasizing a high-powered, balanced offense and a commitment to player development.

From the moment Day became head coach, he was clear about his goal: to bring home a National Championship to Ohio State. His focused demeanor and relentless work ethic have been visible both on and off the field. Under Day, Ohio State has remained one of the top programs in the country, consistently winning Big Ten titles, contending for playoff spots, and developing NFL talent year in and year out. The Buckeyes have experienced a degree of success that few programs can match, but Day’s ambition goes beyond the regular season—his eyes are always on the ultimate prize.

The 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes: The Road to Confidence

For Day to have known that Ohio State had what it took to win a National Championship before playing Notre Dame in 2025, it’s clear that the team was already in prime position to make a deep run. The 2025 season had been shaping up to be one of Ohio State’s most talented and well-rounded teams in recent memory.

1. A High-Impact Quarterback: Kyle McCord

A major factor behind Day’s confidence was likely the development of quarterback Kyle McCord. McCord had been groomed as Ohio State’s next great quarterback, and by 2025, he had proven to be the leader of the offense. As a five-star recruit, McCord had the physical tools to excel at the highest level—he possessed a strong arm, impressive mobility, and a deep understanding of the game.

By 2025, McCord was no longer just a talented quarterback; he was a seasoned leader capable of carrying the offense when necessary. The growth of McCord under Day’s tutelage had made him one of the top quarterbacks in college football, and the Buckeyes’ offense was centered around his ability to make plays. Day has always placed a strong emphasis on developing quarterbacks, and McCord’s success was a direct result of that approach.

2. Elite Playmakers on Offense

In addition to McCord, Ohio State’s offense boasted some of the most talented skill players in the nation. The Buckeyes have long been known for their ability to recruit elite wide receivers and running backs, and the 2025 team was no different. The combination of a dynamic passing game and a strong running game made Ohio State’s offense one of the most feared in the country.

At wide receiver, Ohio State featured playmakers who could stretch the field and create mismatches. Players like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka were elite talents, capable of making game-changing plays at any moment. Harrison, in particular, was expected to be one of the top wide receivers in the nation, with an uncanny ability to make spectacular catches and dominate at the line of scrimmage.

Meanwhile, Ohio State’s running back room was just as dangerous. TreVeyon Henderson had shown flashes of brilliance in previous seasons, and by 2025, he was poised to be one of the top backs in the country. With the ability to break tackles, accelerate through gaps, and catch passes out of the backfield, Henderson provided balance to the Buckeyes’ offense.

With an offensive line that could protect McCord and create running lanes, Ohio State’s offense was well-positioned to dominate opponents. Day’s ability to build an offense around these playmakers gave him confidence that the Buckeyes were ready for a National Championship run.

3. A Strong Defense: Led by Jim Knowles

While Ohio State is often associated with explosive offenses, the team’s defense had been a point of emphasis for Day in recent years, especially following their struggles on that side of the ball in previous seasons. To address this, Ohio State hired Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator in 2022, and by 2025, his defensive scheme was beginning to pay off.

Knowles brought a new energy to the Buckeyes’ defense, emphasizing speed, aggression, and intelligence. His focus on pressuring the quarterback and creating turnovers helped elevate the defense to a championship-caliber level. By 2025, Ohio State’s defense was one of the most complete units in college football, with playmakers in every position group.

The defensive line, led by future NFL prospects, was capable of disrupting opposing offenses, while the linebacker corps was versatile and athletic, allowing them to cover ground quickly. In the secondary, Ohio State boasted a mix of experienced upperclassmen and talented underclassmen who could lock down wide receivers and prevent big plays.

A strong defense gave Day the confidence that his team could win in multiple ways. If the offense was firing on all cylinders, the defense could hold up and get the necessary stops in key moments. This combination of offensive firepower and defensive tenacity was a key reason why Day was so confident in his team’s ability to win a National Championship.

4. The Coaching Staff’s Experience and Development

Another important factor in Day’s confidence was the experience and expertise of the coaching staff surrounding him. Ohio State’s coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and special teams coach Parker Fleming, had proven their ability to develop top-tier talent and make in-game adjustments.

Day’s ability to surround himself with a talented staff allowed him to focus on the big picture while his coaches handled the day-to-day operations. With Hartline overseeing one of the best wide receiver rooms in the country and Knowles running a defense that could adapt to any opponent, Day knew that his team was in good hands on both sides of the ball.

Additionally, the coaching staff’s experience in big-game situations was invaluable. Ohio State had been a regular contender in the College Football Playoff under Day, and the coaching staff knew what it took to succeed on the national stage. This level of experience gave Day even more confidence that his team could perform when the stakes were highest.

The Notre Dame Game: The Early Test

When Day made his admission that he knew Ohio State was capable of winning the National Championship before the game against Notre Dame, it’s clear that he was referencing the sense of inevitability that surrounded the Buckeyes heading into that season. The Notre Dame game, which took place early in the season, was always going to be a significant test for Ohio State, but Day’s confidence in his team’s ability to win the championship wasn’t solely dependent on one game.

Instead, the confidence stemmed from the long-term preparation and the overall team development that Ohio State had undergone. The Notre Dame game was one of the first true tests for the Buckeyes in 2025, but Day believed that his team was capable of handling it and rising to the occasion. In past years, Notre Dame had been a formidable opponent, but Ohio State’s talent and preparation were simply on another level in 2025.

As the Buckeyes took care of business against Notre Dame, it further solidified Day’s belief that this team was ready for a National Championship run. While it was still early in the season, Ohio State’s performance against a tough opponent was a clear sign that they were ready to compete at the highest level.

What This Means for Ohio State’s National Title Hopes

Ryan Day’s admission that he knew Ohio State was capable of winning the National Championship before the game against Notre Dame shows just how confident he was in his team’s abilities. The Buckeyes’ combination of elite playmakers, a strong defense, and an experienced coaching staff set them apart from other programs in 2025.

As Ohio State continued through the season, Day’s belief in his team would be tested in the College Football Playoff, where they would face some of the best teams in the nation. But with McCord under center, a potent offense, a dominant defense, and a coaching staff with a track record of success, Ohio State had all the pieces needed to win it all.

Ultimately, Day’s admission reinforces the idea that Ohio State’s National Championship aspirations were not based on hope or chance—they were grounded in preparation, talent, and belief. For Ryan Day, the 2025 Ohio State football team was a team that was ready to achieve greatness, and he knew it from the very beginning.