In the year since losing to the undefeated Michigan team in Ann Arbor, Ohio State vowed to do everything in their power to return the rivalry back in their favor. This offseason they…
Returned five prominent starters from last years team in TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, JTT, Jack Sawyer, and Denzel Burke
Acquired Will Howard, one of the most productive QBs in the country away from K State
Got Caleb Downs, an All-american level safety from Alabama
Got a 1500 yard SEC rusher in Quinshon Judkins to pair with their other All-american level RB
Got a P5 head coach who nearly won a national championship to resign from his role and take the OC job
Signed the #1 overall recruit in the country who is currently in the midst of a historically great true freshman season
Spent $20 mil, more than any other team in the country, to upgrade their roster and sure up their NIL
They were favored by 19.5 points at home
No Jim Harbaugh. No Jesse Minter. No Connor Stallions. No JJ McCarthy. No Blake Corum. No Mike Sainristil. No Colston Loveland. No Will Johnson.
Michigan threw for 62 yards and turned the ball over twice
They didn’t have a single receiver catch more than one pass
AND OHIO STATE STILL couldn’t win. All time embarrassing program loss. That’s the worst Michigan team in over a decade and this is arguably the most talented Buckeye team in nearly a decade. It will have been over 2,000 days since Ohio State last beat Michigan when they face off in 2025…
Ohio State’s Devastating Loss to Michigan: A Program at a Crossroads
The Ohio State Buckeyes entered their highly anticipated rivalry matchup against Michigan with high expectations, loaded with arguably the most talented roster they’ve had in nearly a decade. But when the dust settled, the result was a gut-wrenching defeat, one that sent shockwaves through Buckeye Nation and left head coach Ryan Day facing some of the harshest criticism of his tenure.
Losing to Michigan is never acceptable for Ohio State, but this one stings even more. This wasn’t an all-time great Michigan team, but the Wolverines still found a way to impose their will, exposing Ohio State’s shortcomings in the biggest moment. The loss marks the third consecutive defeat to their bitter rivals, something that hasn’t happened since the late 1990s, and as of their next matchup in 2025, it will have been over 2,000 days since Ohio State last beat Michigan.
For a program that prides itself on being among the nation’s elite, this loss raises serious questions:
- Is Ryan Day the right coach to lead Ohio State forward?
- Why does this talented team continue to falter in big games?
- Has Michigan flipped the script in the rivalry permanently?
Let’s break down what went wrong for Ohio State, the fallout from yet another loss to Michigan, and what this means for the future of the Buckeyes’ program.
Another Big Game Letdown Under Ryan Day
Since taking over in 2019, Ryan Day has won plenty of games, recruited at a high level, and kept Ohio State near the top of college football. But for all his success, his tenure has been defined by two glaring problems:
- Consistently falling short in the biggest games.
- Failing to beat Michigan when it matters most.
1. The Michigan Problem
Under Urban Meyer (2012-2018), Ohio State dominated Michigan, winning seven straight games in the rivalry. The Buckeyes were the more physical, well-prepared, and disciplined team year after year.
But since Jim Harbaugh finally broke through in 2021, Michigan has flipped the script.
- 2021: Michigan dominated Ohio State 42-27, physically overwhelming the Buckeyes in the trenches.
- 2022: Michigan once again bullied Ohio State, pulling away for a 45-23 win in Columbus.
- 2023: Even with Michigan missing its head coach due to suspension, the Wolverines out-toughed and out-coached Ohio State yet again, securing another win.
Now, the once one-sided rivalry has turned completely in Michigan’s favor, leaving Ohio State scrambling for answers.
2. Ryan Day’s Struggles Against Top Teams
The Michigan problem is just one part of the issue. Day has consistently struggled in big games against top-tier competition.
- 2020 National Championship: Blown out by Alabama 52-24.
- 2021 Michigan Loss: Overwhelmed physically.
- 2022 Michigan Loss: Outplayed once again.
- 2022 CFP vs. Georgia: Had a chance to win but collapsed late.
- 2023 Michigan Loss: Another defeat in the biggest game of the season.
For a program that expects to compete for national championships every year, these losses simply aren’t acceptable.
Ohio State’s Talent Was There—So What Went Wrong?
This wasn’t a rebuilding year for Ohio State. This was a team that, on paper, had national championship-caliber talent:
- Elite quarterback play
- NFL-caliber receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr.
- A strong defense that had been improved all season
Yet, when the lights shined brightest, Ohio State came up short once again.
1. A Lack of Physicality
The biggest takeaway from the past three losses to Michigan is that Ohio State has been out-toughed.
- Michigan controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
- Ohio State’s offensive line struggled to establish the run game.
- The Buckeyes couldn’t stop Michigan in key short-yardage situations.
This isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s a mentality problem. Michigan wanted it more, and that’s a major indictment on Ryan Day’s leadership.
2. Questionable Coaching Decisions
Once again, Ohio State was out-coached in a major game.
- Lack of adjustments: Michigan’s game plan was clear, but Ohio State failed to counter effectively.
- Clock management issues: Critical timeouts were misused, and the Buckeyes looked unprepared in key moments.
- Failure to match Michigan’s energy: From the start, Michigan looked more confident and in control, while Ohio State played tight and hesitant.
For all the talent Ohio State had, it wasn’t enough to overcome these coaching shortcomings.
The Fallout: Where Does Ohio State Go From Here?
After three straight Michigan losses, a growing sentiment among Buckeye fans is that Ryan Day might not be the guy to take Ohio State back to the top.
1. Ryan Day’s Future in Question
Day’s record at Ohio State is impressive on the surface (56-8 overall), but against Michigan and in big moments, he has come up short too often.
- Many fans believe Ohio State has gotten soft under Day.
- Calls for a more aggressive, hard-nosed approach have grown louder.
- If Ohio State loses to Michigan again in 2024, it may force the administration to consider a change at head coach.
2. The Pressure for 2024
Make no mistake—Ryan Day will enter the 2024 season under immense pressure.
- Anything less than a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff appearance will be seen as a failure.
- If Ohio State loses to Michigan for a fourth straight year, the fanbase will demand drastic changes.
- Can Day revamp the program’s culture and mentality to match Michigan’s toughness? That’s the key question.
3. Rebuilding the Rivalry Mindset
Ohio State has lost its edge in The Game—something unthinkable just a few years ago. To reverse this trend, they must:
- Emphasize toughness in recruiting—find players who thrive in physical, gritty matchups.
- Shift the mindset in the locker room—make Michigan the #1 priority again.
- Improve in the trenches—both the offensive and defensive lines need to be nastier and more dominant.
Final Thoughts: Ohio State at a Crossroads
Ohio State still couldn’t win. Against a Michigan team that, by most accounts, was not one of their best in recent years, the Buckeyes still came up short in the biggest moment.
Now, they face an identity crisis. Are they still the Big Ten’s premier program, or has Michigan officially taken over?
Ryan Day has one more year to prove he can get Ohio State back on top. If not, change may be inevitable.
The countdown to The Game in 2024 has already begun. And if Ohio State loses to Michigan again, it might be the beginning of the end for Ryan Day in Columbus.