AP Photo/Carlos OsorioRyan Day, the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, was criticized on social media Saturday after his team's 45-23 loss to the Michigan Wolverines.
OSU was favored to win at home at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, especially with Michigan's star running back being limited by a knee injury, but Jim Harbaugh's team beat Ohio State for the second year in a row.
The Buckeyes had won 17 of their previous 20 meetings with Michigan, but by virtue of their victory, the Wolverines have won back-to-back contests against OSU for the first time in over a decade.
The majority of Michigan's offensive success this season has come on the back of Corum and the running game, but with Corum ailing, Harbaugh allowed quarterback J.J. McCarthy to air the ball out to great effect.
McCarthy's three touchdown passes all came from at least 45 yards out, which is a rarity for the Michigan offense and the Ohio State defense.
Tom VanHaaren @TomVHThis is the first time Ohio State has allowed three pass TDs of 45+ yards since 2014 and it's the first time Michigan has had three pass TDs of 40+ yards during one game in the last 15 seasons per @ESPNStatsInfo
✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Day made adjustments, but that allowed Michigan to run the ball effectively in the second half, including a 75- and 85-yard touchdown run by the quarterback in the fourth quarter.
Fans and experts questioned Day's decision-making not only in terms of defensive alignment, but also offensive play-calling, as star quarterback C.J. Stroud was not allowed to take the game into his own hands for the majority of the game.
Day was committed to running the ball with third-string running back and converted LB, which limited the explosion of the offense.
Many wondered why they weren't allowed to take over the game, which they have done many times.
Nick Pedone @NickPedone12Ryan Day sure isn’t treating C.J. Stroud like a future No. 1 overall pick.
Gene Ross @Gene_Ross2312 games in and Ryan Day still hasn’t figured out how to run a slant to Marv on 3rd or 4th and short
Colton Denning @DubscoWhat if Ryan Day simply just kept calling the things Michigan very obviously can’t stop
Steve Waniewski @SWaniewskiRyan Day has criminally misused the talent today
Day was crushed when he decided to punt on fourth down in the middle of the field as the Buckeyes were behind. According to Pat Forde of SportsIllustrated, even Stroud expressed his displeasure.
Pat Forde @ByPatFordeOh boy. Day sending out punt team with CJ Stroud gesturing his displeasure and the fans booing theirs.
Ari Wasserman @AriWassermanA team feels the temperament of the coach. When Ohio State punted on that fourth down, Ryan Day showed weakness and trepidation despite having the better football team and home field. That stuff is contagious and now Michigan is on the doorstep of scoring on the following drive.
Even with Saturday's loss, Day has gone a remarkable 45-5 in parts of five seasons as the head coach at Ohio State, but the Buckeyes have not won a national title during that time and may have played their way out of this season's College Football Playoff.
Many people were calling for Day to get a job.
NC Buckeye @OHIO_SPORTSFAN_I will say it again if Ryan Day loses this he deserves to be fired
Brenden Deeg @BrendenDeeg_Ryan Day should be fired after that performance.
Logan @SadGuardiansFanthis loss is only worth it if ryan day is fired if he makes it out this the program is more mudded than it already is
matt @sponhourmRyan day deserves 1000% of the blame if and when they lose this
Bryan Driskell @CoachD178I'll say it ..... Ryan Day is an overrated coach. He inherited a great situation and hasn't improved it at all. How is this OSU team not ready to play today? Very strange.
Nick Shook @TheNickShookRyan Day ain’t it, folks. Ohio State fans saw this plenty in the 90s. Time to find your next coach.
It may seem like an overreaction, but even Day stressed the importance of beating Michigan before the game.
When asked if he made changes to his coaching staff because of last year's loss to Michigan, Day strongly suggested that was the case. We know what comes with it, that's how it goes here.
Day has won some big games at Ohio State, but he has also lost some, including the CFP National Championship Game and two contests against Michigan.
Regardless of the result, Michigan will play in the Big Ten Championship Game and Ohio State will have to wait and hope for losses by LSU and USC in order to play for a national title.
The definition of backing into the playoffs is if the committee sees enough to put Ohio State in the playoffs even if it loses to Michigan.
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