Report: Ryan Day picks up $150k bonus for Ohio State reaching CFP quarterfinals, Rose Bowl

For Ryan Day, it paid to win on Saturday night. And for more than just his wallet, as the 42-17 victory over Tennessee alleviated some of the dark cloud hanging over Columbus since Nov. 30.

But the Ohio State head coach will get paid out handsomely for his team making it to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals for a rematch with Oregon in the Rose Bowl. For that alone, he’ll get $150,000, according to USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz.

That’s on top of $100,000 day has already earned in bonuses, bringing him to $250,000 the season.

And while Day has been plenty embattled since the Buckeyes lost to Michigan on Nov. 30, things are now going to plan for the Buckeyes with a national title chase begun in earnest. Plus, Day had color commentator Kirk Herbstreit going to bat for him late in the contest.

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“First Take tried to fire him, they thought he was done,” Herbstreit said. “So, I’ll be excited to see what they talk about on Monday after this performance. They had him out, trying to find replacements. But here he is. Still got his hat on, still coaching.”

First Take’s main voice is Stephen A. Smith, one of the highest-paid employees at ESPN. College football is usually discussed with Paul Finebaum and on occasion, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo.

Finebaum made his usual guest appearance, saying Tennessee was a “must-win” for Day. Even though the buyout was going to be a large one, the Mouth of the South

“There’s a lot of speculation about what’s going to happen to Ryan Day but remember a couple things should they lose,” Finebaum said. “There’s a $37 million price tag… That’s serious money for Ohio State. Ultimately, I think this is a must-win game for Ryan Day.”

Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin, a former Alabama player, celebrated a win over Tennessee in classic fashion

Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin is plenty familiar with lighting up cigars after beating Tennessee. So when the Buckeyes took down the Vols in a 42-17 blowout on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff, he celebrated the same way he did during his four seasons at Alabama.

McLaughlin did not play in the game as he was out with injury, and cameras captured him sparking up a stogie in the waning minutes of the victory. Of course, it is tradition that the winners of the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry between the Crimson Tide and Tennessee celebrate with cigars.

Seth McLaughlin smoking a cigar on Ohio State's sideline pic.twitter.com/VfM94Tt70z

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McLaughlin might be a Buckeye now, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity.