Renowned Coach Ryan Day Ranked Top in Big Ten, Faces Early Season Test
In a significant recognition of his coaching prowess, Ohio State Buckeyes’ head coach Ryan Day has been ranked as the top head coach in the Big Ten by college football analyst Trent Knoop of SI. This distinction comes on the heels of Day leading the Buckeyes to a national championship, overcoming significant odds and proving his critics wrong.
Day’s journey to the top was marked by skepticism, particularly after three consecutive losses to Michigan. However, he silenced his doubters by guiding his team to victory when it mattered most. As Knoop noted, "Most people, including me, thought Day was on the hot seat entering 2024 with three-straight losses to Michigan… With a fourth? He would be gone unless Ohio State would run the table. And that’s exactly what happened." This turnaround has solidified Day’s reputation as a coach with a proven track record of success.
Knoop’s rankings place Oregon’s Dan Lanning and Penn State’s James Franklin in the second and third spots, respectively, followed by Kirk Ferentz of Iowa and Lincoln Riley of USC. Michigan Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore ranks eighth on the list. The full rankings underscore the competitive landscape of the Big Ten, highlighting the talent and strategic brilliance of its coaches.
Despite this accolade, Day and the Buckeyes are set to face an early season test. They will host Texas in their opening game, a matchup that promises to be intriguing. Day is well aware of the importance of starting strong, stating, "Last year, if we miss a few tackles in a couple of those games in Game 1 or 2, you get it on film, you grow and you build working into the next week. You can’t afford to do that in your first week against Texas. You gotta be on your game." This mindset reflects the high stakes of college football, where every game counts, especially for a team aiming to defend its national title.
Interestingly, despite the challenging opening game, Ohio State enters the season as the betting favorites to win the national title, with odds of +500. This reflects the team’s depth, talent, and, importantly, the leadership of Coach Day, who has proven his ability to navigate pressure and deliver results.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes, not just within the Big Ten but across the college football landscape. Their journey, starting with the critical Week 1 game against Texas, will be a testament to Day’s coaching acumen and the team’s resolve. With the national championship title on the line, the stakes are high, but with Day at the helm, the Buckeyes are poised to make another deep run into the postseason.
