Everyone was writing obituaries. Predicting a new coach at Ohio State. Calling this group of Buckeyes a $20 million flop.
They had just lost an unthinkable game to bitter rival Michigan in Columbus, Ohio, as a 20.5-point favorite. Tennessee and its fans were supposedly going to overrun The Horseshoe in the opening round of the expanded College Football Playoff.
A few weeks later, everything has changed. Day’s job is no longer on the line. Eighth-seeded Ohio State looks like it is capable of winning its first national championship in a decade after throttling No. 1 Oregon. It has won its two playoff games by a combined score of 83-38, treating Tennessee and Oregon like sparring partners.
Day deserves an immense amount of credit. You always learn about a coach when his back is against the wall. The same could be said for his players, who were hearing about how much talent was being wasted.