Ryan Day, Buckeyes utilizing every minute to prepare for Wolverines

As ‘The Game’ fast approaches, No. 2 Ohio State and coach Ryan Day have had plenty of time to think about last year’s upset at the hands of rival Michigan. For Day, though, thinking about that loss is only useful insofar as it provides motivation toward the Buckeyes utilizing every minute to prepare for the Wolverines.

Otherwise, dwelling on Michigan’s 42-27 win a year ago is likely to undercut the team’s efforts to flip the script this time around.

“I think you can’t just get yourself going the week of,” Day explained. “You have to build and try to recognize the things that you need to get better at, and then address them, get them fixed so when you’re there again you’re more prepared for the moment. That’s really the focus of it.”

There are significant stakes at play this weekend.

The winner will head to the Big Ten Championship Game, on the verge of locking up a spot in the College Football Playoffs. The loser, of course, could also reach the CFP, but it would not feel super comfortable about it, waiting on other games to play out.

None of that stuff truly matters as far as trying to impact the outcome inside The Horseshoe on Saturday, though.

“I think you start talking about some of those other things you can get distracted on what the most important thing is right now,” Day said, noting he’s not focused on revenge, per se.

Buckeyes utilizing every minute to improve

One of the real points of emphasis at Ohio State is to never let an opportunity to improve slip by.

To that end, Day has even installed some machinery around the team facilities.

“I think when you’re playing an emotional game and a big game like this the easy thing to do is just say, ‘Let’s just get to Saturday. Let me just get to the game,'” Day said. “But we have to utilize every single minute. We have that countdown in our building and every time a minute clicks off of that is one less minute for you to prepare for the game. So let’s utilize every single minute we have to get ready to go kick the ball off at noon so we’re ready to roll.”

Will the constant reminders to always strive for improvement pay dividends?

Tune into FOX on Saturday at noon ET to find out.