Except your identify is Ryan Day, you’ll know that totally different groups play with numerous types and discover distinctive methods to win. Sadly for the Ohio State trustworthy, Ryan Day forgot this vital caveat and determined that Ohio State might solely beat Michigan by working the ball proper up the center and being the harder crew.
As each faculty soccer fan is aware of, that didn’t work, and it in all probability wouldn’t work if Day have been to attempt that once more this 12 months. City Meyer won’t ever have to purchase a drink in Columbus as a result of he realized one of the best ways to beat Michigan is by utilizing your athletes. That ought to be the precise recreation plan Day makes use of to get the much-needed win over his hated rivals from up north.
When Ohio State was miraculously upset in November of 2024, Ryan Day’s world was flipped the wrong way up. He couldn’t go away his home with the lunatic fringe harassing him or his household.
In fact, that loss would possibly’ve been the spark wanted to push the Buckeyes to a nationwide championship, however I’m positive should you requested Day, he would’ve preferred to deal with enterprise and keep away from any hot-seat talks within the course of.
Following final season’s loss to Michigan, Day appeared to train his “big-game demons” and has made Ohio State look unbeatable ever since. Even with the adjustments made for Day, there are nonetheless some large issues for the Buckeyes this Saturday. The playbook has been comparatively restricted for Julian Sayin and firm. The offensive formations have led to predictable play-calling and are a giant cause the offense has struggled to determine the run at numerous factors this season.
Fortuitously for Day, he doesn’t need to take care of Mason Graham in the midst of the Michigan protection; nevertheless, their defensive position remains to be the centerpiece of their protection. Ohio State should depend on the trio of Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Carnell Tate to win for them. That ought to have been the sport plan final season, as anytime Smith was focused, it felt like Michigan needed to sort out him the second the ball was within the air to cease him.
I’d additionally like to see Ohio State use a little bit bit extra tempo. The Buckeyes play on the slowest fee in the complete nation, and a good way to assist a younger quarterback get into a greater rhythm is to hurry up the offense. It’ll tire out the Michigan defensive entrance, and simplify what number of reads Sayin might want to make to maintain the chains transferring.
If Ohio State’s offense can do something within the Large Home, the protection ought to have the ability to piece the remainder of the puzzle collectively. Ryan Day is the explanation Ohio State isn’t an even bigger favourite on this one, however he’s additionally the explanation Ohio State is the defending nationwide champs. I’m excited to see if he learns from final 12 months and caps off an undefeated common season in Ann Arbor.
