Domination? That’s Ohio State football’s brand. But let’s just say that this season wasn’t always a walk in the park. Ryan Day had his fair share of highs and lows, from getting roasted by Michigan for the 4th straight year to decisively defeating Tennessee and dominating Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Now, as Ohio State preps for Friday night’s playoff semifinal showdown against Texas at Arlington, Joel Klatt has us wondering: Was this all part of Day’s master plan? According to Klatt, Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly might’ve been playing chess while everyone else was stuck on checkers.

On January 9th, Joel Klatt appeared on Colin Cowherd’s ‘Herd’ podcast. “They were strategic in what they were showing teams during the course of the year,” Klatt said. Translation: Ohio State has been a menace this season, yet they were keeping their best plays for the playoffs, intentionally. They didn’t give 100 for every game they played in the regular season.

Klatt added, “Their offensive and defensive game plans and structures have changed drastically. Part of it was because they lost to Oregon and Michigan, but the other part was intentional. They didn’t want to show everything. They didn’t want to show every formation so that when they get into these games late in the year, they have things the opposing defenses have not seen.” Basically, Day and Kelly kept some tricks up their sleeves, waiting for the bright lights of the playoffs.

And it’s ain’t just random scheming and whatnot. Both Ryan Day and Kelly bring NFL clout to the Buckeyes. Kelly’s head coaching stints with the Eagles and 49ers taught him how to game the system in an NFL-esque style, while Day’s time as a quarterbacks coach in the NFL sharpened his offensive edge. Ain’t gonna lie. This duo’s deliberate approach is giving big-time NFL vibes.

Ohio State slowed their tempo in the regular season, averaging fewer snaps per game than you’d expect from a high-powered offense. Why? Longevity. It’s like they’re pacing themselves for a marathon, not a sprint.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: losing to Oregon and Michigan. Those losses weren’t just embarrassing; they had fans calling for Day’s job. But instead of crumbling like a Pillsbury cookie, the Buckeyes reloaded and dropped their jaws when the time came. Beating Tennessee was a warning for every CFB playoffs team. Flattening Oregon in the Rose Bowl? That was personal. And now, with Texas looming, all those calculated moves—hiding plays, slowing the pace, playing the long game—are about to pay off big time.

Ryan day’s Ohio State vs. Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns: playoff analysis

It’s a tale of 2 heavyweights. Ohio State enters with the top-ranked defense in the country, holding opponents to just 12.1 points per game. They turned Oregon’s explosive offense into a punchline, holding them to -23 rushing yards. Cody Simon, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Jack Sawyer are living in opposing backfields. And don’t forget the offense.

The Buckeyes are a scoring machine, averaging 41.5 points per game. Freshman wideout Jeremiah Smith? Boy, he’s a star in the making, torching Oregon for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back TreVeyon Henderson is averaging a ridiculous 7.3 yards per carry in the playoffs. And their front 7 gave Dillon Gabriel some nightmares. They’ve literally had 8 sacks against Oregon. If Texas O-line slacks today for even just 1 pass, you better believe Quinn Ewers will have a very bad day in the office.

On the flip side, Texas ain’t no pushover. They’re 3rd in the nation in scoring defense, giving up barely just 14.5 points per game. Their front 7 is ferocious. Colin Simmons leads with nine sacks, and Trey Moore is a menace. Offensively, Quinn Ewers is finding his groove. Against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, he dropped 322 yards and three touchdowns, with wideout Matthew Golden hauling in 149 yards and a score. Sarkisian’s squad showed grit, clawing back from a 17-3 halftime deficit to secure the win.

This game’s gonna be a chess match. Can Texas’s defense disrupt Ohio State’s rhythm? Can Ewers keep pace with Ohio’s firepower? It’s strength vs. strength, and something’s gotta give. Ohio State’s calculated approach this season might just give them the edge.

They’ve low-key held back, bided their time, and now they’re ready to unleash the full arsenal. For Ryan Day, this is about more than just a title run. It’s about silencing critics, proving doubters wrong, and showing the world that his Buckeyes literally built for the big stage. Friday night’s showdown at the Cotton Bowl will be a test of strategy, skill, and grit. Buckle up, folks. This one’s gonna be a barnburner.