What a third consecutive loss in The Game would mean for Ryan Day, Ohio State

It’s been nearly 1,500 days since Ohio State has defeated Michigan. The Buckeyes can’t afford another loss. On Thursday, the Athletic’s Ari Wasserman weighed in on how critical The Game is to OSU and head coach Ryan Day‘s future.

“Ryan Day, as we all know, has been very, very successful leading the Ohio State football program in every other avenue,” Wasserman told On3’s Andy Staples. “They played a tremendous game against Georgia last year. They came up short but you would hire that Ryan Day on that team to coach any team in college football.

“But, if you can’t figure out a way to get [a win against Michigan] that’s a major problem. I feel like the last two losses were way worse because I thought Ohio State’s teams that lost those games were probably better than the one that they have this year, although their defense is much better. Michigan has a much more advanced version of itself now, too.”

It won’t be easy for the Buckeyes. Although Michigan will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh, it will still be dangerous. The Wolverines proved that very fact last week in a decisive 24-15 win over No. 9 Penn State.

In the triumph, the Wolverines tallied 227 total rushing yards in the win, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Michigan was so confident in its ground game it only threw the ball eight times in the contest.

Despite its adverse circumstances, Michigan’s mind was clearly in the right place. The team only committed six turnovers in the game and did not commit any turnovers. If Michigan can replicate its efficiency against Ohio State, the Buckeyes will be in trouble.

Ohio State carries extra heat into fiery matchup

Nonetheless, Ohio State won’t back down. The Game includes more bad blood than usual this year not only due to suspicion of Michigan’s past wins in the matchup, but due to a nasty rumor surrounding Day.

In early November, Michigan media members and fans alleged Day and his family of hiring investigators, most notably Day’s brother, who is a part-time private investigator, to look into Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal.

Although the NCAA cleared Day’s name, it can’t erase the initial accusations. Rest assured, the anger from the allegations has not dissipated for either side. Expect Day and his fellow Buckeyes to harness that anger. Their season depends on it.

Michigan and Ohio State will square off on Nov. 25 at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.