As Ohio State’s Ryan Day enters the 2025 season, national attention intensifies, with championship aspirations, program evolution, and leadership defining his pivotal year ahead.
The 2025 college football season looms large for Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day. As the program continues to compete at an elite level, national attention surrounding Day has reached new heights. This is a critical year not only for Day’s legacy at Ohio State but also for the future trajectory of the Buckeyes program. After several seasons of near-misses and rising expectations, the upcoming season is shaping up to be a defining moment in Day’s tenure.
Ohio State football is no stranger to national acclaim, and under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have continued the program’s long tradition of excellence. However, despite his many successes — including multiple College Football Playoff appearances and Big Ten Championships — the one thing that has eluded him thus far is a National Championship. With 2025 presenting another opportunity to claim the sport’s most coveted prize, Day is under immense pressure to finally deliver on that promise.
In this article, we will explore the national perspective on Ryan Day as he heads into the 2025 season. We’ll look at his journey thus far at Ohio State, the expectations facing him, the key elements of the program’s evolution, and the challenges that lie ahead. We’ll also examine the broader landscape of college football and how Day and the Buckeyes stack up against the competition as they pursue glory.
Ryan Day’s Journey at Ohio State: Building a Contender
Ryan Day was hired as the 25th head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2018, succeeding Urban Meyer, a legend who led the program to numerous Big Ten titles and a national championship. When Day was named head coach, he inherited a high-profile program with a wealth of talent but also the considerable pressure that comes with being at the helm of one of college football’s most successful programs.
Day’s coaching pedigree and reputation as a dynamic offensive mind made him a natural choice. He had already made a significant impact as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, where he helped develop one of the most potent offenses in the country. With a background in coaching quarterbacks, Day was instrumental in the development of former Buckeye stars like Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields. The transition from Meyer to Day appeared seamless, especially given Day’s offensive philosophy that emphasized explosiveness, tempo, and versatility.
Under Day’s leadership, Ohio State has been an immediate contender on the national stage. In his first season (2019), Day led the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record, a Big Ten Championship, and a College Football Playoff berth. Ohio State’s offense, led by Fields, was among the most potent in the country, and the defense, under coordinator Jeff Hafley, was also top-tier. Despite falling to Clemson in the CFP semifinals, the 2019 season firmly established Day as a top-tier coach in college football.
The following seasons, however, have been a mix of triumphs and near-misses. In 2020, Day guided the Buckeyes to a national title game appearance, but they fell short against Alabama. Ohio State finished the 2021 season with a 10-2 record but failed to qualify for the College Football Playoff for the first time under Day. The 2022 season ended with a dramatic loss to Georgia in the CFP semifinals after a missed field goal in the final seconds — a heartbreaking moment that reinforced the sense that Ohio State was consistently on the verge of greatness, yet just a step away from the ultimate prize.
While Ryan Day’s record at Ohio State is exemplary — with multiple Big Ten titles, multiple playoff berths, and a reputation as an offensive guru — the lack of a national championship has become a focal point of criticism. In 2025, this is the year that Day must deliver if he is to cement his place among the elite coaches in college football history.
Expectations for Ryan Day in 2025
The 2025 season represents a crossroads for Ryan Day. While Ohio State is undeniably one of the premier programs in the country, the looming expectation of winning a national title has grown to an almost unmanageable level. Fans, analysts, and critics alike are asking one question: can Ryan Day finally win it all?
There are several reasons why expectations are particularly high heading into 2025:
1. A National Championship Window That’s Wide Open
Ohio State has been positioned in recent years to compete for a national title, but small missteps and a few key losses have prevented them from reaching the pinnacle. However, the 2025 season offers another prime opportunity for Day and his team to secure the elusive national championship. The Buckeyes have continued to recruit at an elite level, consistently bringing in top-tier talent across all positions, especially at quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive line.
Ohio State’s recruiting prowess has helped them consistently compete at the highest level, and with another highly-ranked class coming in 2025, expectations for the upcoming season are sky-high. Day will have one of the most talented rosters in college football, including stars on both sides of the ball who will be expected to lead the team to the College Football Playoff and, ultimately, a national championship.
2. The Quarterback Position
In college football, success often starts with the quarterback, and Ohio State is no exception. Ryan Day has proven himself to be a quarterback whisperer, with former Buckeyes like Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins excelling under his tutelage. In 2025, Day is set to work with another blue-chip talent, and the quarterback situation will be critical in determining Ohio State’s success.
At the heart of Day’s offensive philosophy is the ability to develop and get the most out of his quarterback. If Ohio State has a quarterback who can lead them to national championship glory in 2025, Ryan Day’s system will likely shine. Having a dynamic playmaker at quarterback is essential to compete with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and other top-tier programs.
3. A Competitive Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference has grown increasingly competitive, especially with teams like Michigan continuing to rise under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Buckeyes’ annual rivalry with Michigan, which has gained even more prominence in recent years, will play a significant role in the 2025 season. Michigan’s success and resurgence in the Big Ten are a direct challenge to Ohio State’s dominance within the conference.
Ryan Day must navigate a brutal Big Ten schedule, where every game is a potential test for his team. The Big Ten Championship remains a critical goal, but it’s also a stepping stone to a College Football Playoff berth. Ohio State must secure key wins within the conference to ensure that they are in the mix for a playoff spot, and Day’s ability to manage these high-stakes games will be critical.
4. Recruiting and Program Evolution
One of the central elements of Ryan Day’s success at Ohio State has been his ability to recruit elite talent and maintain a high standard of excellence across all positions. Ohio State consistently ranks among the best in the country in recruiting, with Day and his staff identifying and developing future NFL stars year after year.
Heading into 2025, Ohio State’s recruiting efforts are focused on continuing to build depth and balance within the program. Day’s ability to attract top-tier recruits while retaining key talent will be a critical factor in sustaining Ohio State’s national competitiveness. The influx of talent through the 2025 recruiting class and beyond will help ensure that the program remains a national title contender for years to come.
Day’s efforts in program evolution will be visible as Ohio State continues to embrace modern trends in college football. With the increased focus on player development, advanced analytics, and evolving schemes on both sides of the ball, Day must be at the forefront of change, ensuring Ohio State adapts to new challenges while maintaining its identity.
5. The Pressure to Deliver a National Championship
Despite the many accomplishments Ryan Day has achieved during his time at Ohio State, the pressure to deliver a national championship has grown exponentially. The Buckeyes are in a perpetual state of “win now,” and anything less than a national title in 2025 will be seen as a failure by many.
As an elite program, Ohio State expects championships, and that burden falls squarely on Day’s shoulders. While he has already demonstrated his ability to build a winning program, the absence of a national title is a glaring hole in his resume. National analysts will be watching closely to see if Day can break through and secure Ohio State’s first national championship since 2014.
Challenges for Ryan Day in 2025
While the 2025 season presents an opportunity for Ryan Day to finally claim a national championship, it will not be without its challenges. The competitive landscape of college football is fiercer than ever, with teams like Georgia, Alabama, and Michigan continuing to evolve and improve. Ohio State’s path to a national title will require overcoming multiple obstacles, including:
- Elite Opponents: As mentioned, the College Football Playoff picture is crowded with programs that are also in pursuit of national glory. Georgia, Alabama, and Clemson are expected to remain powerful, and teams like Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas have also positioned themselves as legitimate title contenders. Ohio State will need to navigate a tough regular season and a competitive Big Ten to even reach the playoff.
- Consistency on Defense: For Ohio State to truly be a national title contender, they will need to improve defensively. While Day has had an offensive-minded approach, defensive shortcomings in key moments have often held the team back. Ohio State must continue to evolve defensively under coordinator Jim Knowles and make significant strides to compete with the high-octane offenses of their competition.
- Maintaining Momentum: After years of close calls, it will be vital for Day and his coaching staff to keep the team motivated and focused. Ohio State has consistently been among the nation’s top teams, but the mental and emotional fatigue
from losing close games and coming up short in big moments could impact the team’s performance.
The 2025 Season as Ryan Day’s Defining Year
As Ohio State prepares for the 2025 season, all eyes are on Ryan Day. He has already built a successful program, but to elevate Ohio State to the very top of college football, he must deliver a national championship. With a roster filled with talent, a competitive Big Ten schedule, and a championship window wide open, 2025 is poised to be a defining year for Day and the Buckeyes.
Ryan Day’s legacy at Ohio State is still being written, and 2025 could be the year that it reaches its pinnacle. The pressure is on, but with the right mix of leadership, talent, and execution, the Buckeyes are ready to make a serious push for the national title that has eluded them for nearly a decade.
