So, Ryan Day, you wanted to be the head coach of the Ohio State football team?

With that title comes presssure, and for a number of successful coaches, today marked a dark day in their careers. The most notable on the Ohio State end of things was John Cooper.

Yeah, he finished his time as the Buckeyes’ coach with a 111-43-4 record, but his struggles with Michigan were well documented. He finished 2-10-1 against the Wolverines, and became the postchild for the need to win “The Game.”

Jump ahead 30 years, and Day has developed a bit of reputation among his naysayers. He can be Penn State, he can top Wisconsin, but can he finally get on track against Michigan.

The calls for Day’s coaching head became louder after dropping a 30-24 game to “The Team Up North” last season, marking a three-game losing streak for the Buckeyes against their rival.

There was controversy surrounding the Wolverines during that stretch, but the cartoonish Connor Stalions – face mustache, sunglasses and all – was already off the sidelines by the team the game was played last November. As an Ohio State fan, there was no funny business, it was a straight up loss.

Now we enter this afternoon. At noon the Buckeyes will welcome the Wolverines to Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

Ohio State’s College Football Playoff ticket has more or less already been punched. They’re the No. 2 team in the rankings, behind the Oregon Ducks, who handed the Buckeyes their only loss so far. Ohio State still has a shot at the Big Ten Championship, where they would face the aforementioned Ducks in Indianapolis.

However, the goals for the 2024 season were clearly set during the offseason.

The Ohio State athletic department dumped money into this roster. They brought in quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins and safety Caleb Downs via the transfer portal. Day also brought in former mentor and head coach Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator.

It was all to beat Michigan and win the national championship. Anything less will be a disappointment.

Ohio State didn’t really use Name, Image and Likeness the way other programs had over the last few seasons. It was more of a recruit-and-develop style program, but the boosters and the athletic department decided to make a change in philosophy.

Day has been a successful coach since stepping into Urban Meyer’s shoes in 2018. He enters this afternoon’s game with a 66-9 record and an appearance in the 2020 National Championship.

He has won 88% of his games as a head coach. Cooper managed to win 71.5% while in Columbus.

But we all know what happened to Cooper. He became synonymous with being good but failing to win the final regular season game.

Another playoff run and championship appearance would probably keep the pink slip from being filled out if he does drop this game, but a win would at the very least by him a little more time regardless of the playoff outcome.

It’s make or break for Day and he to put his best foot forward,. Otherwise he’ll end up like Cooper. Even worse, Day has one of the best rosters and coaching staffs money can buy.

Dan Hiner is the sports editor for The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle. He can be reached via email at dhiner@tribtoday.com.