More than three months ago, Ryan Day stood motionless as the Michigan Wolverines planted its flag in the heart of Ohio Stadium. A crushing 13-10 loss. Tears, jeers, and calls for his job echoed around him. Fast forward, and Ohio State Buckeyes flipped the script — using the expanded playoff as a second chance to rewrite their season. Safe to say, they battled, they delivered and a 34-23 win over a relentless Notre Dame squad sealed their national title. But here’s the catch — beating the Irish doesn’t erase the pain of losing to Michigan. And while Day’s trophy shines, the weight of The Game still lingers.

In a recent IG post from Unnecessary Roughness, a fiery debate took center stage. A video clip featured Brandon Walker and a CFB insider breaking down a hot topic — ‘Is Ryan Day a Top 3 coach in CFB?’ Then came the bombshell, and the insider didn’t hold back, stating, “Okay, now Ryan’s a won a national title this year, and I understand that, and I did that. Obviously, he’s one of the best coaches in the country. Ryan Day, unbelievable coach. I would absolutely take Ryan Day, and as a national champion. What we saw is Ryan Day win a national title and also lose to their rival, which he lost with his coaching decisions.”

So, the conversation got real: Day’s greatness isn’t up for debate, but that Michigan loss? It still stings. Look, OSU’s fall to the Wolverines wasn’t just another defeat; it was a collapse fueled by hesitation. Down 10-3 with under eight minutes left, Day played it safe — settling for a field goal on 4th-and-2 instead of going for the kill. Then, with the game on the line, Kyle McCord’s costly interception sealed OSU’s fate. And three straight losses to Michigan. Following that, three straight questions about Day’s decision-making in the biggest moments. Right now, for all his success, that cloud still hangs over him.

However, Ryan Day’s talent is undeniable. He’s built a powerhouse at OSU, stacking up B1G titles, multiple CFP appearances, and a national title. Given that, the CFB insider made it clear, saying “He is absolutely a top three coach. If you win a national title, you should be there. He had all the talent in the world going into this season.”

But here’s the twist — his job security was once hanging by a thread. “We said if Ohio State doesn’t win the national title, Ryan A should be fired. Ohio State’s fan base wanted him fired after Thanksgiving. Now, he’s erased that for a lot of people, but I’m still not convinced that that man, with a roster that talented, won’t outcoach himself in other ways next season,” said the insider.

Here’s why Ryan Day lands in the Top 3 — but not at No. 1 or 2. Yes, that Michigan loss is still haunting him. Even with a national title, the doubts linger. And the CFB insider didn’t hold back, saying, “And I still am not convinced he’s not going to have a coaching — what is the word — man, that you use? Goof? And for that reason, he is a top-three coach, but he’s not one or two for me.”

Let’s be real: one mistake can haunt even a championship coach. And now, Ryan Day just got an ultimatum from another B1G powerhouse.

Top Comment by Wayno

Dude, you don’t even know who OSUs QB was, and the INT was last year…and it’s 4 straight…cmon man!!

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Ryan Day is given a deadline

With just five months until kickoff, the B1G race is already heating up. Speculation is swirling — who will take the crown? This fall, the stage is set for a high-stakes rematch between Ryan Day’s OSU and PSU. With playoff seeding on the line, the Nittany Lions are out for revenge. According to USA Today’s Paul Myerberg, PSU is the early favorite, ready to challenge Ryan Day in Columbus. “There’s talent, coaching and plenty of motivation after coming close to an appearance against OSU in the championship game, but can the Nittany Lions use that pain to reach new heights under James Franklin? ” Myerberg wrote. The message is clear — Ohio State won’t waltz to the top without a fight.

However, OSU may be the reigning champs, but questions remain. At No. 2, the OSU have one glaring concern — quarterback stability. According to Myerberg, that issue “could quickly become a non-factor as the season draws closer.” Still, there’s no denying the challenges ahead.

“The Buckeyes could run the table and win the whole thing again, obviously. But they are down multiple skill players on offense, including quarterback Will Howard, and will need to rebuild the defensive line without several multiple-year standouts. There’s also the fact that Ohio State will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball,” Myerberg noted. To be honest, the Buckeyes have the talent, but can they reload fast enough? That’s the bigger question. Now, let’s wait and see.