Ryan Day’s Championship Glory Overshadowed by Michigan Struggles.

Head Football Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes

Ryan Day has led the Ohio State Buckeyes to the pinnacle of college football with their recent national championship victory over Notre Dame, but one thorny issue just won’t seem to fade: Michigan. The sting of Ohio State’s fourth consecutive loss to the Wolverines, dating back to their November 30th matchup, continues to cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory time in Columbus.

Despite the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff success, Michigan’s dominance has remained a lingering narrative. During every playoff game Ohio State played, the November defeat was frequently brought up. Even during the celebration of their championship, the rivalry with Michigan remained a hot topic. And now, as Day shifts focus to preparing for the 2025 season, the frustration of falling short against “that team up north” persists.

Adding fuel to the fire, a video that surfaced on social media has made the rounds, showing Day encountering a Michigan fan who appeared to ask for a photo. Instead, the fan took the opportunity to remind Day of his struggles against the Wolverines. The video, shared on Twitter/X, has since gone viral.

“Go blue!!!!!!!! Extend him!!!!” the fan taunted, accompanied by the clip posted by user Jake (@strudelicous).

The interaction underscores the emotional rollercoaster Day has faced. Following the November loss, the calls for Day’s job were deafening, with the hashtag #FireRyanDay trending across social media. Many fans had seen enough after the latest defeat to their most bitter rival. But as the Buckeyes advanced through the playoff and ultimately claimed the national title, the tune of the fanbase changed dramatically. Now, there’s a growing sentiment of support, with many hoping Day will remain Ohio State’s head coach for years to come.

Still, the Michigan question lingers. Some fans and analysts have tried to downplay the importance of the annual showdown, arguing that the rivalry is given too much weight. But moments like this viral interaction serve as a reminder of just how deeply entrenched the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is—not just in college football, but in the sports world as a whole.

This rivalry isn’t going anywhere, and as long as Day remains in Columbus, the pressure to beat Michigan will follow him. While he’s proven capable of leading Ohio State to championship glory, the question that looms large over his tenure is whether he can reclaim dominance in the sport’s greatest rivalry. Until that happens, the Michigan losses will continue to sting, no matter how many trophies the Buckeyes bring home.