The pressure is on Ohio State coach Ryan Day at the start of the 2023 season, and their performance against Indiana failed to impress many observers on Saturday.
The Buckeyes were only up 10-3 at halftime against Indiana, and failed to really run away with things in the second half, either. Day was heavily criticized by many on social media over what was perceived to be conservative play-calling and an unwillingness to put the ball in the hands of his star wide receivers. Several bemoaned Day’s conservatism after he nearly beat Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal by being much more aggressive.
Where is the punch-throwing, red-in-the-face Ryan Day we saw during the Georgia game last season?
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) September 2, 2023
Did CFP Ryan Day make the bus?
— Buckeye Fett™ (@BuckeyeFett) September 2, 2023
Ohio State wideouts in Ryan Day’s offense pic.twitter.com/viITt25bV0
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) September 2, 2023
Earlier this summer, Ryan Day said they don't ever want to look at the stat sheet after the game and see that Marvin Harrison only had a couple of touches. pic.twitter.com/IMEVFpfJCM
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) September 2, 2023
Ryan Day needs to stop coaching scared. Both QB’s are inexperienced, but you have to test the waters with them. Also, the OL has been pretty rough.
— Joseph D (@OSUFBFANATIC) September 2, 2023
The counter is that Day is basically working with an overhauled offense. Saturday’s starter at quarterback was the inexperienced Kyle McCord, and he was playing behind a reworked offensive line. Still, the talented Ohio State offense scoring two touchdowns in the entire game — both of them rushing — was not what most would have wanted or expected to see against a team of Indiana’s caliber.
Day has plenty of prominent defenders, but consecutive losses to Michigan and a lack of playoff success have him under the microscope. Perhaps he is keeping some things in reserve for later in the season, but most would have wanted to see more against Indiana.
