Rivalry games are the cauldrons where legacies are forged—or scorched. For Ohio State Buckeyes play-caller Will Howard, the cauldron boiled over on Saturday, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Buckeye faithful. The loss wasn’t just another notch in Michigan Wolverines belt; it might be the one that puts his coach Ryan Day’s tenure on the ropes.

A somber Howard addressed the media after the 13-10 defeat in the reel on Instagram by CBS Sports, visibly emotional as he apologized to the fan base. “I still love this team. I still love this university. I’m just… I’m sorry, man,” Will Howard said, with a crackled voice. His vulnerability struck a chord with fans, even if his stat line—175 passing yards, one touchdown, and two costly interceptions—did not. One of those interceptions handed Michigan a red-zone opportunity they capitalized on; the other snuffed out a promising Buckeyes drive inside the Moore’s Wolverines 20-yard line.

Howard’s journey from Kansas State transfer to Buckeyes starting quarterback was supposed to be a redemption story. Instead, Saturday’s game became a nightmare, amplifying the scrutiny surrounding both him and head coach Ryan Day. Ohio State entered the matchup as three-touchdown favorites, only to falter on their biggest stage now are 10-2 with a title shot against the Ducks in fog. It’s not just about stats, It’s about showing up when it matters most, and Will Howard just couldn’t deliver today. As he said while getting choked up. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get this one.” Hard luck champ.

The ripple effects of this loss are undeniable. With not just punches flying around left and right after his colleagues went for the Michigan’s yellow flag like bulls who saw red. It also marked their fourth consecutive defeat by the Ann Arbor side, a streak that has Columbus questioning whether Day is the right man to lead the program. Social media was ablaze with calls for his dismissal, with sentiments ranging from frustration to outright fury. While it’s easy to dismiss these reactions as heat-of-the-moment emotions, there’s a historical precedent that Day’s seat might genuinely be heating up. Ohio State’s standards are unforgiving, and losing repeatedly to their biggest rival is a cardinal sin in Columbus.

The numbers paint a grim picture. Michigan held Ohio State to just 10 points, an embarrassment for an offense that had been averaging over 35 points per game. The #18 QB’s struggles under center are emblematic of a larger issue: the inability to adjust when the stakes are highest. Day’s critics argue that his game plans lack the adaptability needed to beat top-tier teams, a critique that grows louder with every Michigan loss.

Are the Ryan Day days really numbered after this commotion

Ryan Day and his record at Ohio State is the stuff most programs dream of—66 wins, just 10 losses, two Big Ten titles, and a consistent presence in the top 10. But in Columbus, those stats come with an asterisk. Losing to Michigan four years straight? As we said earlier it’s a cardinal sin in Buckeye Nation. Fans are restless, with Day feeling the heat from critics who think anything short of dominance over the Wolverines and a national championship is unacceptable.

The silver lining for Day? Ohio State isn’t Texas A&M, which famously paid a jaw-dropping $76 million to part ways with Jimbo Fisher. Day’s $37-million buyout isn’t small, but it’s likely to keep him safe from any torches and pitchforks—at least for now.

However, the calls for change won’t stop until Day delivers a win over Michigan or hoists the College Football Playoff trophy. Whether Day survives, the fallout remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: for Howard and the Buckeyes, the road to redemption just got a lot steeper.