Ryan Day on if Ohio State is a CFP team: 'This team can play with anybody in the country'

After what’s becoming an all-too-familiar scene for Ryan Day and Ohio State, the head coach was asked in defeat how his squad stacks up as a potential College Football Playoff team. Minutes after a 30-24 loss to arch rival Michigan, Day said he hasn’t had a chance to fully assess yet.

The Buckeyes can hang with the best of the best still, Day said, and a six-point loss on the road to another undefeated team isn’t exactly a massive blemish. But with other one-loss teams potentially finishing on stronger notes, Day isn’t sure where his team stands.

“I think we have a veteran team. I think we have a team that is solid in all three phases and I’d have to kind of see what else is out there, honestly. I’ve just been so focused on this game. I appreciate the question, I just don’t have a great answer for you right now. But I do believe this team can play with anybody in the country,” Day said postgame.

There’s recent precedent for Ohio State to make the CFP after losing The Game, as the Buckeyes did so last season and nearly beat Georgia in a semifinal. But the field this time around around Ohio State appears to be stronger — Texas, Oregon and Alabama could all be one-loss conference champions. And Alabama being a one-loss champion would create one-loss Georgia, likely another team ahead of the Buckeyes if neither hold a conference title.

Whether Day had a chance to assess the picture after the first loss of the season or not, the picture isn’t great for Ohio State to make the College Football Playoff, barring a string favorable results the rest of Week 13 and in conference championship games.

“Just playing in this game, everything is so focused on this game. I’d have to kind of process that,” Day said. “I think we have a very good team. We came up short today and it’s devastating. But I believe in our players.”

What comes next is not just a question for Day

Buckeyes receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was mum on his NFL future following a 30-24 loss to rival Michigan on Saturday. Harrison is wrapping up his third season with the Buckeyes, and would be eligible to enter the 2024 NFL Draft this offseason.

After losing to the Wolverines for the third time in his career, however, Harrison was not interested in discussing his future. When asked what his plans going forward would be, the Ohio State receiver didn’t have an answer.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t have an answer for you just yet. Not a conversation to be had. It’s just family. The coaches, teammates. I don’t have an answer for you yet.”

Harrison was once again the Buckeyes leading receiver in Saturday’s contest, finishing with five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. It marked the eighth time this season that he has gone for 100-plus yards in a single game.

With his performance Saturday, Harrison has 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. In his career at Ohio State, he has 155 catches for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns.

The NFL Draft isn’t set until April 25, 2024, and Harrison still has plenty of time to make his decision. He will likely wait to see where the Buckeyes, who were ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff entering this week, land in the postseason before making his decision.