‘It’s easy for people to say that’: Ryan Day stands up for Ohio State against a narrative around their National Championship

Ohio State has long been one of the premier programs in college football, and under head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have continued to be a force to reckon with. Since taking the reins as the Buckeyes’ head coach in 2019, Day has turned Ohio State into a perennial contender for the College Football Playoff (CFP) and national championships. Yet, despite their dominance in the regular season and regular trips to the playoffs, the Buckeyes have faced their share of criticism, particularly when it comes to their inability to claim the national title in recent seasons.

Most notably, some critics point to Ohio State’s performance in the College Football Playoff semifinals and title games, where they have faltered against some of college football’s top-tier programs. As these narratives have taken root, Ryan Day has been forced to defend both his program and the team he’s built, consistently rebuffing those who have taken aim at Ohio State’s ability to secure a national championship.

In an era where college football’s elite programs are expected to win titles year after year, Ryan Day has made it clear that the journey to a national championship is far more complex than it seems. And in recent months, as the Buckeyes continue to push forward, Day has vocalized his stance against those dismissing his team’s potential to secure another national title.

The Rise of Ohio State Under Ryan Day

Ryan Day’s arrival in Columbus in 2019 was nothing short of seamless. Taking over a program that was already in championship contention under Urban Meyer, Day didn’t just inherit a successful program—he continued to build upon it. In his first season as head coach, Ohio State rolled to a 13-1 record, winning the Big Ten and making it to the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals, where they faced off against Clemson. Though the Buckeyes were poised to make a title run, they fell short, losing in a heart-wrenching 29-23 defeat to Clemson in a game that many believed was decided by controversial officiating calls.

Despite this, Day’s Ohio State program was still widely seen as a major player in the national championship race. That’s because Day’s tenure at Ohio State was marked by continuous dominance, fueled by elite recruiting, offensive brilliance, and a steady stream of NFL-caliber talent. The Buckeyes boasted star players such as quarterback Justin Fields, running back J.K. Dobbins, and a cast of standout defensive players who made the team a consistent championship contender.

However, 2020 would bring a set of unique challenges, beginning with the global pandemic and the uncertainty it cast over the season. Despite all the obstacles, Ohio State marched into the 2020 College Football Playoff, with the expectation that they would finally reclaim the national title. But once again, they were thwarted in the final game of the season, this time by Alabama, who defeated the Buckeyes 52-24 in the national championship game. The loss to Nick Saban’s Alabama squad, one of the best teams in college football history, once again reignited the narrative that Ohio State wasn’t quite “there” yet.

Then came 2021. The Buckeyes opened the season with high expectations, including another shot at the national championship. But in another dramatic twist, Ohio State fell in the CFP semifinals to Alabama’s SEC rival, Georgia, in an instant classic game that saw the Buckeyes fall short, 42-41, in a heart-wrenching contest that concluded with a missed field goal. Once again, the Buckeyes were sent home without a title, despite playing against some of the best teams college football had to offer.

This string of near-misses has led to a growing narrative that Ohio State, for all of its talent, is simply unable to get over the hump when it matters most. For many outsiders, it has become easy to claim that the Buckeyes’ championship window is closing or that they are no longer the juggernaut they once were.

Ryan Day Responds to the Narrative

As the 2023 season looms on the horizon, Ryan Day is fed up with the narrative that continues to plague Ohio State—especially the criticism surrounding the team’s ability to win a national championship. Following the Buckeyes’ tough playoff exits in 2020 and 2021, Day addressed the growing skepticism head-on.

In a press conference prior to the 2023 season, Day took a direct aim at the critics who had grown too quick to dismiss his team’s potential. “It’s easy for people to say that,” Day remarked. “They don’t see the work that goes into it. They don’t see what happens on the inside. They only see the games on Saturdays, but there’s so much more that goes into building a championship team.”

Day’s comments were pointed, but they reflected the reality of what it takes to build a contender. Winning a national championship is no simple task. It’s a test of endurance, strategy, and overcoming adversity in high-pressure situations. Day emphasized that for those on the outside looking in, it’s easy to criticize when you don’t see all the preparation and sacrifices that go into achieving greatness.

“The media and the fans can be quick to judge when things don’t go exactly the way we want them to,” Day continued. “But when you’re inside this program, when you’re with the guys day in and day out, you realize how much work goes into getting to that point. We’re not just focusing on one game or one season; we’re trying to build something long-lasting, and that takes time.”

For Ryan Day, this defense of his program was not just about silencing the doubters. It was also about reminding everyone, from fans to the media, about the bigger picture. College football is about much more than a single season or even a single game. Building a team that can compete for a national title year after year is a monumental task, requiring meticulous planning, execution, and a relentless drive for improvement.

The Pressure of Ohio State’s Expectations

While Day is clearly committed to his team and their potential, the pressure on Ohio State to win a national championship is immense. The Buckeyes have one of the most successful and storied programs in college football history, and with that comes high expectations from the fanbase, media, and even alumni. Winning the Big Ten Conference and making it to the College Football Playoff is no longer enough. The bar is set at a national championship every season, and failure to meet that expectation often results in criticism.

However, Day believes that these pressures are an inherent part of what makes Ohio State such a special program. “The expectations are part of what makes Ohio State so great. It’s what makes this program what it is. But those expectations shouldn’t be used as a way to tear down what we’ve accomplished,” Day said.

With the spotlight always shining brightly on Ohio State, every loss is magnified, and every missed opportunity is met with even more scrutiny. This can be difficult to navigate, especially for a team that is as young and talented as Ohio State. Day has acknowledged that managing these expectations is a challenge, but it is one that his team embraces. In fact, it motivates them to keep pushing for excellence.

Day also made it clear that he is not discouraged by the setbacks, nor does he believe that the national championship window is closing. If anything, he believes Ohio State is poised for even greater success in the future. “We have the right people in place,” Day said. “We have the right mindset. I believe that this team is as focused and as ready as any team I’ve had here. We just have to keep doing the little things right.”

Ohio State’s Talent and the Road to a National Championship

While the criticism of Ohio State’s playoff losses has been a narrative for some, Ryan Day is quick to remind everyone that the Buckeyes remain one of the most talented teams in the country. Year after year, Ohio State is consistently ranked among the best recruiting programs in the nation. The Buckeyes have produced numerous NFL talents, from quarterback Justin Fields to wide receiver Chris Olave and defensive stars like Chase Young. This steady influx of elite talent gives Ohio State a unique advantage over most other programs.

“I have complete faith in the players we have,” Day said. “We have some of the best athletes in the country, and I know that we can compete with anyone. The key now is to put it all together when it matters.”

Indeed, Ohio State’s roster remains loaded with talent. The Buckeyes have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in C.J. Stroud, who has the potential to be a top NFL pick. They also boast a dynamic group of wide receivers, including Marvin Harrison Jr., a name that has quickly become synonymous with excellence in the college game. Additionally, Ohio State’s defense remains one of the toughest in the Big Ten, led by a ferocious front seven and a secondary full of future pros.

For Day, the combination of elite talent and an unwavering commitment to improvement gives Ohio State every opportunity to succeed. “We’re not looking at the past. We’re looking at the present and the future,” Day said. “I believe in this program, and I believe in these guys.”

Ryan Day’s remarks are a powerful statement of confidence in his team, his program, and his coaching philosophy. While Ohio State may have faced setbacks in recent years, Day is determined to continue building a team capable of winning a national championship. His defense of the program in the face of outside criticism is a testament to his leadership and his unwavering belief in the ability of his players.

The narrative surrounding Ohio State’s national championship pursuit may continue to evolve, but one thing is certain: Ryan Day and the Buckeyes will continue to fight for the ultimate prize in college football, and they are far from being counted out.

As Day said, “It’s easy for people to say that. But we know what we’re capable of. We know what we’ve built here. And we’re just getting started.”