Ryan Day describes losing to Michigan: 'The worst thing that's happened, so we can never let that happen'

Michigan has defeated Ohio State in three consecutive seasons, and that fact has been gnawing at Ryan Day as the major blemish on an otherwise tremendous tenure with the Buckeyes.

Ahead of Ohio State’s chance to right the wrongs of the past three years, Day put the losses into perspective. The Buckeyes leader even went as far to compare losing to Michigan to the passing of his father, which happened when the coach was nine years old.

“We’ve felt what it’s like to not win this game, and it’s bad. It’s one of the worst things that’s happened to me in my life, quite honestly. Other than losing my father, and a few other things,” Day stated, via GameTime with Ryan Day. “It’s quite honestly, for my family, the worst thing that’s happened. So, we can never have that happen.”

In the past, Day has disclosed that he lost his father due to suicide, and he was raised by a single mother. If losing to Michigan brings out that visceral of a response from the coach, you can tell how much this weekend’s chance at redemption means to the Buckeyes leader.

During his time in Columbus, Day has amassed a 66-9 record as a head coach. He doesn’t have a national title yet, and some believe Michigan has stood in the Buckeyes’ way of achieving that goal over his tenure. Perhaps a victory over the Wolverines will help elevate Ohio State to the level they’d like to return to.

Michigan doesn’t exactly feel like the Michigan of the past three seasons, but the rivalry remains as intense as ever. The Wolverines have had a rollercoaster season under Sherrone Moore, but they seem to be back on track, as they defeated Northwestern by 46 points in Week 13.

It’s always must-see television when Ohio State and Michigan face off, and this season’s iteration means everything to Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. Time will tell if they can get the job done, and basically clinch their spot in the College Football Playoff.