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HC Ryan Day (2019 B1G Media COY)

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ScriptOhio said:






In a statement released by Ryan Day on Thursday afternoon, Ohio State's coach said he believes the Big Ten's medical subcommittee “has done an excellent job of creating a safe pathway toward returning to play in mid-October,” and that players want to know why they are unable to play while other conferences are playing right now.
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FWIW regarding the bold:
 
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“I’m very, very excited for our players,” Day said. “Because they never lost faith. They never lost trust. Their behavior through this time has been excellent and they never stopped fighting. It was during a time that was very, very uncertain. It’s not easy for 19, 20, 21 year old young men to go through this, and they did.

“The culture was never more evident. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

The culture and brotherhood have never been tested in the way it has these last few months. From the Covid-19 pandemic, to being a part of a country that has, at times, seemed to be falling apart, to the wreck that the Big Ten produced in the last six weeks, Ohio State has had difficult issues to deal with. From protests to rallies to not knowing how to handle workouts and new health protocols, the long-held leadership of the team has stepped up and new players have risen to the challenge as well.
 
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Ryan Day

Day reflected on the fine line that the coaching staff is having to walk regarding hitting in practice. Day commented that “The only way to get ready to play football is to play football,” but then added that injuries must be avoided, especially this year when players can be lost via positive test. Day commented that the entire roster has to be ready to play. This year is very different, so much so that the usual distinction that evolves for scout team players is not happening. Players that in the past were scout-teamers have to be getting ready to play as well since they could be called upon at any time to play if certain circumstances arise.

Day does not think that running back is a problem position. The staff feels that they have more depth there this year than they have had in previous seasons. Master Teague is the incumbent but they are very happy with what they see in Trey Sermon as well. He also mentioned Xavier Johnson, Steele Chambers and Marcus Crowley as players that have made a good showing.

Offensive lineman Dawand Jones is being looked at some at guard. They like his size and athleticism and feel like he can do some things to help this team.

Working with Justin Fields has been refreshing. His approach to the game is excellent and “he is really on it.” Fields asks excellent questions, takes notes, and is working diligently to get better.

At the quarterback position the number one priority is to get Justin Fields ready to play, but they are mindful of the need to develop backup talent too. C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller are getting the majority of the reps with the twos right now because they have to learn the offense. Gunnar Hoak will get more reps with the twos later on, but since he has already been in the offense a year they felt they should give the freshmen some extra reps since they are behind on the learning curve.

Day commented that the OSU coaching staff is going to great lengths to remain Covid-free, so much so that some coaches with small children at home are not sleeping at home just in case their children are exposed to the virus at school. It’s one of many sacrifices the coaching staff is making due to the virus.

The lack of spring practice and the odd fall camp schedule has put younger players behind where they might normally be at this time of year. As a result the Buckeyes will depend more heavily than usual on experienced players if for no other reason than they have a larger body of work and you know what to expect out of them when they get on the field, particularly in the early going this season. They will try to work in younger guys when they can, but early on they will be leaning heavily on experienced veterans.

The competition at safety between Josh Proctor and Marcus Hooker has been very good. Both players bring good skill sets to the table. Both are very active and it is not inconceivable that they could be on the field together at times this season.

OSU practiced in Ohio Stadium last Saturday and will do so again this Saturday. The empty stadium is, in fact, what the game-day environment will be this year, so they are trying to get as much practice time in that environment as possible.

 
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Beat Michigan
That’s a given. Day’s predecessor never fell to the Buckeyes’ biggest rival, and the three-score victory this past season was an indication that Day would continue in that winning vein. In fact, Day could even close the all-time wins gap between Ohio State and Michigan. Currently, the Buckeyes are sitting at a 51-58-6 deficit all-time to Michigan, with Meyer having made up significant ground with his wins in the seven matchups from 2012 - 2018.

As a fun aside, Michigan currently holds the longest winning streak in the rivalry, having taken all nine games between 1901 - 1909. The Buckeyes are rapidly closing in, and Day could tie that streak with a win this season. Ohio State also just nudged past Michigan to take the No. 2 spot in all-time win percentage in the NCAA (behind Boise State of all programs!).

Conference championship
Once again, this measure feels like a given since Day led the Buckeyes to a conference title last season. However, it might be surprising to consider that Ohio State is riding just three-straight conference titles, and that the Buckeyes had a drought of titles, by comparison, from 2015-16. Wow, we really are spoiled.

Looking ahead to this season, which features solely conference matchups, Ohio State drew a favorable schedule. After opening with Nebraska and Penn State, the Buckeyes have a four-game stretch of Rutgers, Maryland, Indiana and Illinois. Ohio State then closes with Michigan State — which will be breaking in new head coach Mel Tucker after the retirement of longtime coach Mark D’Antonio — before ending the regular season against Michigan in Columbus. Even without a bye, the Buckeyes should, in theory, be able to rest players in the middle of the eight-game stretch.

The Big Ten Championship game is currently scheduled for Dec. 19, with a location still to be announced. The game, per the usual, will feature the top teams from the East and the West, but the remaining 12 teams in the conference are set to play an additional game that weekend as well.

As a note, an undefeated regular season assumes success for another key measure — a berth in the College Football Playoff.

National title
Day stopped short of this highest success last season when *deep breaths* the Buckeyes fell to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. While it was certainly a disappointment to lose, it didn’t feel, frankly, like Clemson did under Meyer — like desperate attempts to get the monkey off his back. Day came close, he coached a good game and ultimately came up short (with some questionable calls from the refs along the way). The takeaway felt clear: Day and the Buckeyes would be back.

Of course, when it comes to this season, the first question is if the College Football Playoff will actually happen. Given the time allotted for planning the Playoff, it feels like even a modified scenario will happen regardless this season — whether conferences play championships and whether schools play two or 12 games. And with early projections favoring Ohio State’s berth in the CFP (along with Clemson, Alabama and Georgia), Day should have another crack at it sooner rather than later.
 
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