You know that this game means more than life, and it’s four lives gone for Ryan Day. Legends are made or broken on rivalry weekends. For Ohio State’s head coach, last Saturday’s clash against Michigan wasn’t just a game—it was a reckoning. Yet again, the Buckeyes fell short, 13-10 this time. It’s like death, taxes, and losing to Wolverines. The streak has critics sharpening their pens, and ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has already dropped some ‘fine bombs.’

Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show this time, Paul Finebaum didn’t pull punches. “If there wasn’t a 12-team playoff, Ryan Day would be fired,” he declared. “And quite frankly, it would be justified.” That’s the headline-grabbing soundbite, but the famed college football analyst didn’t stop there. He criticized Day’s coaching, labeled his defense of the postgame brawl as “firable,” and blasted the Buckeyes’ lack of preparation for the sport’s most significant rivalry.

Ohio State’s loss wasn’t just about points on the scoreboard—it was the culmination of years of missed opportunities and simmering frustrations. Day’s record, 66-10, might look impressive, but in a state where beating Michigan is paramount, it feels hollow. Finebaum pointed to the Buckeyes’ inability to execute when it mattered most, stating, “You had all year to prepare for that game… and you blew it in 60 minutes.”

In the end, he just stood, emotionless, as if paralysis had stricken him, amid the chaos that looked like a scene out of a political protest. The aftermath was chaos. Players clashed on the field, pepper spray was deployed, and emotions spilled over in a way that only amplified the tension surrounding the paralyzed coach’s tenure with a $37 mil buyout clause. His postgame explanation added fuel to the fire. “I don’t know all the details,” Ryan Day said. But he made it clear his team wouldn’t tolerate Michigan planting a flag on their field. Finebaum saw this as more evidence of Day’s failure to control the narrative—and his team.

It is a national championship or bust for Ryan Day. Despite the loss, the Buckeyes are still on the hunt. This format change shields Day from what would’ve been a more definitive end to his Ohio State chapter. The veteran reporter thinks the playoffs are a lifesaver for Day, especially in a state like Ohio where the Michigan rivalry is a religion. But the question looms: How long can this go on? For a program with resources, talent, and a fervent fanbase. The post-presser got out analyst in question more red.

Finebaum already warned Ryan Day to shut it

This time around on a different show. He just can’t let the guy slide, won’t he? Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back his thoughts on the former Big Ten Coach of the Year’s response to the postgame brawl after Ohio State’s matchup. Day, in a measured press conference, defended his players’ actions, stating they wouldn’t allow another team to plant a flag on their home field. Finebaum, however, wasn’t buying it, labeling the comment as “idiotic” during The Matt Barrie Show.

“If you’re Ryan Day, keep your mouth shut,” Finebaum said, warning Day to avoid stirring up unnecessary drama. Looks like a significant buyout, similar to Jimbo Fisher’s $76 million, could be on the cards if he fails to deliver a national championship. Well, this means he’s already on ice. And if this doesn’t shake out well, even the expanded playoff won’t be enough to save him.