Ryan Day dismisses challenge of traveling to Oregon: ‘Only a couple hours more than Nebraska’

No. 2 Ohio State will face a massive challenge this weekend when it goes on the road to take on No. 3 Oregon in a game that will shape the Big Ten race.

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day isn’t altogether concerned about travel being an issue.

“Yeah I don’t really see it as much of a challenge that way,” Day said. “I think it’s a 4.5-hour flight. It’s a couple hours more than Nebraska. And we’re going to stay on East Coast time. I think we’ve got a good plan.”

The reporter who asked Day about the difficulties in going on the road for such a lengthy trip like Oregon came equipped with stats. He noted that Big Ten teams are 1-8 so far this season when they have to travel across two time zones for a game.

That’s enough to suggest there might be something to it being more difficult to play on the road.

But Ohio State won’t adjust its normal road trip or gameday preparations much for the Oregon game.

“We’re going to stay on our time schedule, and the way that the time of the game and everything fits kind of how we practice, so we’re not going to look too much into it,” Day said.

He reiterated once more than he doesn’t think the lengthy travel will impact his team all that much.

“I don’t think so,” Day said. “Again, it’s only a couple hours more than Nebraska, so that’s kind of how we’re looking at it. And not make it a bigger deal than it is.”

Ohio State will have to travel approximately 2,050 miles as the crow flies to get to Oregon. The two teams are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday, with a national broadcast on NBC.