Ryan Day, the football coach at Ohio State, receives a grave warning from CBS Sports regarding the possible outcome of the Michigan game.

As the Ohio State Buckeyes prepare for another highly anticipated season under the guidance of head coach Ryan Day, one thing is certain: the outcome of the annual Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry game remains at the forefront of every Buckeye fan’s mind. Year after year, the Michigan Wolverines have been Ohio State’s biggest and most bitter rival, and with both teams vying for supremacy in the Big Ten Conference, it’s more than just a game—it’s the barometer by which the success of an entire season is measured.

However, as we approach the 2025 season, the pressure on Ryan Day and his program has reached unprecedented levels. While Ohio State has consistently been one of the top teams in the country during Day’s tenure, the specter of Michigan’s dominance in recent years has left some wondering: Is Ryan Day’s grip on the Buckeye program in danger?

In an eye-opening article from CBS Sports, the renowned sports outlet issued a grave warning regarding the consequences of Ohio State losing to Michigan again. According to CBS Sports, the outcome of this year’s game could dramatically alter the trajectory of not only Ohio State’s season but also Ryan Day’s future as head coach. With the looming threat of another defeat to Michigan, the pressure on Ryan Day to deliver a victory has never been more palpable.

In this article, we will break down the factors surrounding Ohio State’s rivalry with Michigan, analyze the warning from CBS Sports, and explore what a loss to Michigan in 2025 could mean for both Ryan Day’s tenure and the future of the Ohio State football program.

1. The Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry: A High-Stakes Game

The Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry is not just one of the most storied in college football—it’s one of the fiercest and most consequential rivalries in all of sports. The two programs have clashed for more than a century, and each season, the game carries tremendous weight. For Ohio State, it has historically been the game that defines their season. The winner of this contest often has an inside track to not just the Big Ten Championship, but also a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth, with the victor usually finishing with a higher ranking and a clear path to a national title.

While Ohio State has long dominated the rivalry, Michigan’s resurgence in recent seasons has changed the dynamics. Under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has evolved into a formidable force, winning the past few meetings between these two powerhouse programs, culminating in a crushing 42-27 victory over Ohio State in 2022 and a 45-23 win in 2023. Michigan’s dominance in the rivalry, combined with Ohio State’s inability to secure a victory in the past two seasons, has left many wondering whether Ryan Day, once seen as the future of Ohio State football, is feeling the pressure of this intense rivalry more than ever.

2. CBS Sports’ Grave Warning to Ryan Day

As CBS Sports analyzed the upcoming 2025 season and the stakes surrounding the Michigan game, the outlet issued a stark warning for Ryan Day and the Ohio State football program. According to CBS, another loss to Michigan could spell the end of Day’s tenure at Ohio State.

This warning stems from several key factors:

A. The Urgency of Winning the Rivalry Game

Ohio State’s administration, alumni, and fan base place an incredibly high value on beating Michigan. It’s more than just a rivalry—it’s a tradition. Losing to Michigan for a third consecutive season would not only be a crushing blow to the Buckeyes’ season, but it could potentially shake the very foundation of Ryan Day’s future at Ohio State. CBS Sports points out that the stakes in this game are not just about the Big Ten title or a spot in the CFP; they’re about Ryan Day’s job security.

Day inherited a program that had been dominated by Urban Meyer—one of the most successful coaches in college football history. Meyer’s legacy at Ohio State was built on dominance in the Big Ten, particularly over Michigan. Day’s initial success after taking over from Meyer was impressive, but the past few years have raised significant questions. After back-to-back defeats to Michigan, the pressure is mounting, and another loss could have serious consequences.

B. National Perception and Expectations

Ryan Day’s reputation as a brilliant offensive mind and capable head coach has been marred by his inability to defeat Michigan in recent seasons. While Ohio State remains one of the top programs in college football, failing to beat Michigan diminishes the Buckeyes’ stature in the eyes of fans, the media, and the broader college football community. As CBS Sports highlights, Ohio State’s position as a perennial playoff contender is ultimately irrelevant if they can’t get past their most bitter rival.

If Ohio State loses again to Michigan in 2025, it will likely fuel the perception that Ryan Day can’t win the big one—that he lacks the necessary toughness, preparation, or ability to lead Ohio State to victory in the games that truly matter. In a world where coaches are judged by championships, another loss would likely leave a stain on Day’s record that would be difficult to overcome, even if his teams continue to produce successful seasons otherwise.

C. The Recruiting Landscape

One of the key elements of Ohio State’s continued dominance under Ryan Day has been his ability to recruit at an elite level. The Buckeyes have consistently secured some of the top recruiting classes in the country, with top-tier quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive talent flocking to Columbus to play for a program with national championship aspirations. However, if Ohio State continues to lose to Michigan, it could affect the perception of the program among recruits.

Top-tier recruits want to play for a team that competes for national titles and has a track record of beating their rivals. If Ohio State falls further behind Michigan in the rivalry, recruits may begin to question whether the Buckeyes are the best place to develop into championship-caliber players. CBS Sports suggests that, in today’s era of college football, where the transfer portal is a major factor, Ohio State could risk losing out on elite prospects, especially in-state recruits who might feel a stronger connection to Michigan’s recent success.

D. The Psychological Impact on the Team

Losing to Michigan for a third consecutive season would undoubtedly have a psychological impact on the Ohio State players. While the Buckeyes have plenty of talent, confidence is a crucial element of success, especially in a rivalry game like this. If Ohio State loses to Michigan again in 2025, the mental toll on both players and coaching staff could be significant. The Buckeyes would enter the offseason knowing that they have failed to overcome their biggest hurdle, and that mindset could linger throughout the year.

Additionally, CBS Sports warns that Ryan Day’s leadership and emotional control could be questioned in the aftermath of another defeat. A coach who is unable to motivate his team to win in the biggest moments risks alienating both players and fans. Day’s ability to rally the team and refocus them for the remainder of the season would be under intense scrutiny, and any signs of disarray or lack of preparation could fuel the growing criticism surrounding his tenure.

3. The Broader Implications for Ohio State’s Future

As CBS Sports pointed out, the Michigan game represents more than just a rivalry—it’s a referendum on Ryan Day’s future as the head coach at Ohio State. The stakes are not just about this season’s Big Ten Championship or the playoffs; they are about the long-term health of the Ohio State football program.

• Coaching Carousel: A loss to Michigan in 2025 could set off a coaching carousel. Ohio State is one of the top programs in the country, and if the team continues to struggle in the rivalry, it’s possible that Ohio State’s administration would make a change at the top. With a rich history of success and high expectations, the Buckeyes may look elsewhere for a new coach—someone who can return the team to its dominant position in the Big Ten and reclaim the crown from Michigan.
• Rebuilding the Rivalry: For Ohio State, a loss to Michigan would require significant work to rebuild the rivalry and get back to winning ways. That task may fall to a new coach, one who understands the importance of this matchup and has the ability to motivate and prepare his team to win in this high-pressure environment.

 The High Stakes of Ohio State vs. Michigan

The Michigan game is always the most important game of the season for Ohio State, but in 2025, the stakes may be higher than ever for Ryan Day. As CBS Sports warns, another loss to Michigan could send shockwaves through the program, shaking up the leadership structure, the recruiting landscape, and the overall morale of the team. For Day, the outcome of this rivalry game could define the remainder of his career at Ohio State. If he is unable to secure a victory over Michigan, he could find his job in jeopardy, and Ohio State’s aspirations of returning to national dominance could take a hit.

With so much riding on this one game, Ryan Day will undoubtedly feel the pressure, knowing that his legacy—and the future of Ohio State football—could be determined by his ability to overcome Michigan in 2025.