Ohio State HC Ryan Day finally broke through and captured a national championship with the Buckeyes last season. But that doesn’t mean the pressure is off heading into the 2025 campaign. Day is well aware of the expectations and has worked tirelessly this spring to recruit top talent and keep his players in peak form.
Still, it seems that the Big Ten is aware of the championship mentality in Columbus, Ohio. In a recent article, Big Ten coaches anonymously praised Day and the job he’s done so far.
Big Ten Coaches Applaud Ryan Day, 2025 Ohio State Roster
Coaches rarely dish out praise for rival programs. But recently, several Big Ten coaches anonymously shared their thoughts on Ohio State with Athlon Sports. The feedback is something Buckeye fans can smile about.
Anonymous Coaches’ Comments on Ohio State in Athlon Sports CFB Magazine
“Year in and year out, this is the most talented program in the league and one of the most talented in the nation. The question every season is just if they can arrange that talent the right way.”
“Whoever… pic.twitter.com/YZkRHIGqMl
— The Big Ten Huddle 🎙️ (@TheBigTenHuddle) May 24, 2025
“Year in and year out, this is the most talented program in the league and one of the most talented in the nation. The question every season is just if they can arrange that talent the right way,” one coach reportedly said.
“Whoever wins the quarterback battle has one of the best receiver rooms in the country,” another noted, alluding to Buckeye pass-catcher Jeremiah Smith, among others.
“The defense is stocked; defensive tackle might be their question mark, but they’re going to dominate in league play,” said a third. Last season, Ohio State lost just two games: a pair of conference matchups against newcomer Oregon and hated rival Michigan.
“The resilience of [Ryan] Day and his staff is really, really remarkable. I don’t think they get enough credit from the public for how they managed the playoff run after losing to Michigan,” another coach said.
“The calls for his job were absolutely ludicrous. Do they need to beat Michigan? Yeah, sure. But this program is at the very top of the sport because of the head coach.”
Winning a national championship for the first time in a decade certainly eased some of Day’s pressure as he enters his seventh season as the Buckeyes’ head coach. Still, the four-game losing streak to Michigan remains a major talking point.
That aside, the spotlight in Columbus is on the QB battle. Former five-star recruit and sophomore Julian Sayin is competing with junior Lincoln Kienholz, another highly touted prospect.
RELATED: Ohio State’s 2026 Quarterback Strategy: Why Luke Fahey Fits the Buckeyes’ Plan
Sayin, the No. 3 QB in the 2024 class, transferred from Alabama to Ohio State shortly after Nick Saban’s retirement. He saw limited action last season as a true freshman, completing 5 of 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, and now faces the pressure to live up to his hype.
The Buckeyes’ 2025 schedule looks manageable, but it’s loaded with potential pitfalls.
A season opener against fellow national title contender Texas will be an immediate test, followed by key Big Ten matchups, including a road trip to Illinois in Week 7, a home clash with Penn State in Week 10, and the always-crucial regular-season finale at Michigan, which could once again decide playoff fates.
Can Day build on last season’s national championship run and finally get past Michigan to solidify his legacy at Ohio State?
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