Insert Michael Jordan’s iconic “And I took it personally” line.

Redemption stories often make the most compelling headlines, and Ohio State Buckeyes just penned a doozy. Fresh off a crushing loss to Michigan, one that stung more than usual with playoff stakes in the balance, the Buckeyes found themselves staring the offseason on the brink. But on a chilly Saturday night in Columbus, ‘The Shoe’ roared back to life as Ohio State obliterated Tennessee 42-17 in the Playoff’s opening round. That’s how you get past a demoralizing loss, the Ryan Day way.

After the game, head coach Ryan Day couldn’t hide his satisfaction. The coach, who was once on the ‘hot seat’ didn’t hold back after the Buckeyes’ win. In the post-match presser, he lit up, clearly pleased with what he saw from a certain someone on the banks of the Olentangy. A local OSU reporter posted a clip on X from the hour-long press conference, highlighting the key difference-maker. “A bad offensive display against Indiana” with a lot of unknowns in the last game against the team that he didn’t even address.

But against the Vols, those doubts disappeared in a flurry of touchdowns and big plays. “But certainly one of them was we called this game more aggressively. There’s no question about that,” he said. “But also I think we did some things in this game that maximized some of our strengths and minimized our deficiencies.”  And the innocent Heupel’s Vols had to pay the price of the ‘aggressive’ Will Howard and his newest partner in crime.

Redshirt senior Will Howard quarterbacked the hell out of the Vols. With pinpoint accuracy and nerves of steel, Super Will went 24-of-29 for 311 yards and two touchdowns, adding critical plays with his legs when needed. Day was effusive in his praise: “Will was excellent in this game. Played really well, did a really good job of placing the ball into big-time throws. When he needed to make plays with his legs, he did.” It was the kind of outing that silenced the Neyland North contingent—a vocal group of Tennessee fans who had snapped up tickets in a bold attempt to turn the Horseshoe orange.

#18 wasn’t alone in his heroics. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the nation’s best receiver, balled out and torched Tennessee’s secondary with six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. One for the history books to become the college’s only Freshman to eat 1000 receiving yards.

He kept the Vols guessing with his precise routes and explosive plays. “Certainly Smith was dynamite again,” Ryan Day said, “but Will was the leader.” The Buckeyes complemented their aerial attack with just enough balance on the ground to keep Tennessee honest, proving that even with a quarterback-centric approach, a multidimensional offense reigns supreme. “You could tell from the jump they had a look in their eye they weren’t going to lose this game,” the HC pointed.

The Tennessee faithful who flooded the stands must have felt their confidence evaporate as quickly as the game got out of hand. “They thought they were going to take over this place,” Howard said, with a defiant edge to his voice. “We showed them pretty quick that we weren’t going to let that happen.” The Vols’ defensive woes compounded as Howard and company methodically exposed every weakness, turning the game into a Buckeye clinic in both preparation and execution.

Ohio State now marches forward to meet B1G archrivals Oregon, its title hopes renewed and its confidence soaring. And just like that tide of the Bucks fans has quickly shifted from “Fire Day” to “Ryan you saved the day.”

Kirk Herbstreit says, look at Ryan Day now!

Coach rolled into Columbus in style, all smiles after praising his boys. Before the showdown began, people were still skeptical about his future at Ohio State; the amount of trash he took was insane. Talk shows, such as ESPN’s First Take, were even discussing potential replacements. And as minutes ticked away in the fourth quarter, Kirk Herbstreit called out First Take for their Day-related discussions.

“First Take tried to fire him; they thought he was done,” Kirk Herbstreit said with a mix of disbelief and amusement. “So, I’ll be excited to see what they talk about on Monday after this performance. They had him out, trying to find replacements. But here he is. Still got his hat on, still coaching.”

Herbstreit didn’t mince words, shining a light on the scrutiny the 45-year-old has faced. The show, spearheaded by Stephen A. Smith—arguably the network’s most iconic and highly paid personality—has a knack for stirring the pot on sports’ hottest storylines. He was joined by notables like Finebaum, who were breathing underneath his neck. But surely the aggressive win against the No. 7 Vols answered a lot of critics. Good thing Howard and Smith took it personally.