Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Coaching a storied program like Ohio State sure has its perks. You are nurturing some of the best talent in the country with imperishable resources to attain said talent. Everyone wants to be in Ryan Day’s position. However, the ground you stand on at that level is rather fickle. One misstep can send you tumbling down the abyss of once-revered head coaches.

With Indiana’s visit to Columbus to face the Buckeyes, a lot of the conversation in the lead-up has revolved around the Hoosiers. For it is them that are entering uncharted territory with their first playoff-caliber challenge this season. No.2 Ohio State has trod these roads frequently, and Ryan Day has often come out on top. However, one CFB analyst still believes his job is potentially under threat. 

Danny Kanell of CBS was questioned how much pressure is on Ryan Day to win this game. Kannel said, “It’s huge, because it’s [a] different type of pressure, right? Because there’s hot seat pressure, where you can potentially get fired if you lose a game. I don’t think that’s what Ryan Day is facing. But I do think he would probably enter next season on the hot seat if you lost this game. When you talk about a miserable situation to be in, if you lost as a two-touchdown favorite, or close to it, against a team like Indiana who has not been perennial blue blood or a rival of yours, and you had this $20 million roster… that Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer said is the most talented roster in the history of this tradition-rich program, that would be embarrassing. It would be utterly disastrous for the season because then all of a sudden- Do you get into the playoffs? Then you could miss out on that potential [championship] goal? So I think the stakes are massive for Ryan Day”.

Ryan Day’s tenure so far has been a mixed bag. His Buckeyes’ teams have been perennial championship contenders. However, he has failed to get over the hump. After consecutive Big 1o championships in his first 2 full seasons, Coach Day had a lot of credit in the bank. In the 3 seasons that ensued, the team hasn’t achieved the standards they set initially.

With the Buckeyes once again one of the favourites for going all the way, this season could well make or break. Ryan Day will be looking to rise above his playoff woes and bring a Natty to Columbus. However, his place in the CFP isn’t guaranteed just yet. While Ohio State is a massive favorite to beat Indiana and virtually lock a spot, his history suggests there could be an upset on the cards.

Ryan Day’s past shortcomings may crop up again

Ryan Day’s 2-7 record against top 5 opponents is also a feature of his potential downfall in Columbus. While most coaches would struggle against teams of that calibre, it is particularly damning for Ryan Day since he has always been at the helm of a top 5 team. Indiana are coincidentally sat at exactly no. 5. So an opportunity to build upon this poor record is right at their disposal.

The last time Ohio State faced a top 5 team, they managed to muster a win. This was against James Franklin and Penn State in Week 1o. Ryan Day sure would hope this was the start of a trend, and as 13.5 point favourites this week, a second such win on the bounce beckons. Indiana is perhaps feeling the heat and is there for the taking.

Poor results against elite opposition are just one of many facets that put Coach Day’s future in Columbus at risk. A win against Indiana would rest any emerging murmurs of his job security for the time being. However, it is December football that will be the primary evaluation of Ryan Day.