Ohio State’s rivalry loss to Michigan has left the fanbase with a sour taste that rivals biting into an unripe Buckeye nut. While frustration brews over head coach Ryan Day and his inability to exorcise the Wolverines’ hex, the Buckeyes’ playoff position has spared him from an immediate fallout. Despite the chaos, the playoff committee might just be handing Ohio State an unexpected lifeline.

According to WBNS 10TV analysts Dom Tiberi and Adam King, the Buckeyes’ drop to No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings isn’t all doom and gloom. The situation might be a blessing in disguise. “Ohio State gets a home game in Round 1,” Tiberi explained, emphasizing how critical the cold Ohio weather could be against a likely SEC opponent. As King quipped, “For years, the Buckeyes played bowl games in Florida and Atlanta—now it’s time to flip the script.” 6 shouldn’t look too bad on Ryan Day and OSU with the 10-2 record. The rankings, as frustrating as they might appear to fans, position Columbus for a favorable path. Teams ranked fifth and sixth receive home-field advantage in the opening round of the 12-team playoff. For a program accustomed to battling in neutral southern climates, bringing SEC heavyweights like the Vols to the frigid conditions of Ohio Stadium could be a game-changer.

Moreover, Ohio State is unlikely to drop further “I think Ohio State is done dropping. I don’t think we’ll see them move back at all,” said one of the reporters. Even scenarios involving Penn State or Georgia losing their respective championship games won’t drop Ohio State below No. 6, considering their head-to-head win over the Nittany Lions and Georgia’s potential three-loss tally. For Bucks head Ryan Day, this is a lucky break. His 1-4 record against Michigan has Bucks fans question his ability to maintain dominance in Columbus, which defines the program’s legacy.

While Michigan fans revel in Ohio State’s recent struggles, the Buckeyes still have a shot to remind the nation why they’re perennial contenders. The 12-team playoff remains the last resort for Ohio State, where expectations remain sky-high despite setbacks. If the Buckeyes can capitalize on their home-field advantage, Ryan Day might just have a chance to turn this season’s narrative around. Although for this long time analyst, he has already missed this flight.

Paul Finebaum says you’re not that guy pal to Ryan Day

After already slamming Day for his “Idiotic” statement in the post-match presser, like the ESPN’s insider, wasn’t too impressed after the fourth consecutive loss to Michigan. Ryan Day’s seat in Columbus might feel more like a pressure cooker right now, especially after a deep dive on ESPN’s Get Up Tuesday morning. Analysts Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich didn’t hold back on discussing what Day needs to accomplish in the College Football Playoff to silence the doubters—or at least keep his job. “Time to start packing”, said Finebaum

Dinich laid it out plain and simple: Day doesn’t need to win it all, but a championship game appearance is almost non-negotiable. “Can you imagine if Ohio State gets a first-round home game and loses? That’d be two home losses, including the Michigan heartbreaker,” Dinich emphasized, adding that such an outcome would leave Day’s future in jeopardy.

The message? Deep playoff success is the expectation, not just a hope. And the No. 6 seed can be just turn out to be lucky for his group.