Paul Finebaum blasts Ryan Day in heated First Take debate with Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo

Paul Finebaum was adamant about Ryan Day beating Michigan this season as the biggest thing on the to-do list.

Well Finebaum and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo had a heated debate over Day’s standing as a head coach in college football. Both like him as a coach, but Russo valiantly defended Day, despite CFP and Michigan losses.

Finebaum, ever the critic as well, had enough of that take.

“Unlike Ohio State, I think Oregon will win out there and I believe Ohio State will win in the [Big Ten] title game, they’re both going to the playoffs, Doggie,” Finebaum said on First Take. “So calm down for a second. And quit giving Ryan Day a lifetime achievement award because he choked a 14-point lead in the fourth quarterback against Georgia. All he had to do was turn once fourth down into a first down into a first down and he couldn’t do it. That’s my issue with this guy, he’s so lucky. He was handed the keys to the Mercedes, and he’s got a few scrapes on it.” 

That’s when Finebaum turned it into a comparison between Day and previous coach Urban Meyer, who did win a national title with Ohio State.

“Listen, nobody’s had an easier transition than this guy,” Finebaum said. “Urban Meyer quits and Ryan Day takes over. He’s had elite quarterback after quarterback – you can just look at the NFL to see who I’m talking about. We’re not talking about Little League here, this is the big time, this is the crème de la crème, Doggie, and my issue with him isn’t his record. Good, big deal, he can beat up a bunch of crummy teams. My issue is what happens when he gets to primetime. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard you guys say the exact same thing about Dak Prescott. I think I’ve heard it 14 times today already. That’s what I’m saying about Ryan Day.”

Paul Finebaum, Chris Russo get heated over Ryan Day

“Urban Meyer didn’t lose three times to Michigan in his career, and this guy’s lost three straight that’s what we’re talking about here,” Finebaum continued. “I just don’t understand you guys giving this guy training wheels, I think he’s a good coach. I don’t think he’s an elite coach, but he’s making $12 million a year at Ohio State. WIn the big game, that is all I am saying.”

Russo started to fire back, defending Day, particularly in the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Georgia. But Finebaum was on a roll Wednesday.

“Well, again, you and I have discussed this, two years ago, they lost to Michigan and then almost beat Georgia in what was a classic,” Russo said.

“They almost … A-L-M-O-S-T,” Finebaum shouted back. 

“Paul, that was a tremendous football game,” Russo said. “Be fair. That was a great game. Ohio State did a great job. Be fair. Be fair. It’s against Georgia Paul, come on.”

“Doggie, Stephen A. and I were at the game, we watched it,” Finebaum said. 

“You watched that game? How come you don’t take me to these damn games? Now you’re hanging out with him,” Russo asked Stephen A. Smith.

“You need to go to these games so you’ll know what you’re talking about,” Finebaum retorted, followed by a lot of laughter from Russo.

Well, 2024 is exactly the type of prove-it season for Day that a lot of members of the debate television medium need to see.