Recruiting is still the lifeblood of CFB—no matter how hot the transfer portal gets. And Ohio State isn’t losing sight of that. Fresh off a dream season capped by a national title win over Notre Dame, Ryan Day is keeping the recruiting train rolling. Yes, on Friday, the Buckeyes landed another big piece: in-state LB CJ Sanna. He is a tough, instinctive defender who fits the Buckeye mold. And the most intriguing fact is that according to On3, Sanna’s commitment boosts OSU’s 2026 class to a 93.235 rating—good for No. 2 in the B1G and No. 3 nationally. But just as Day continues stacking talent, a national analyst dropped a surprising take on the Buckeyes head coach—one that’s sure to stir the pot.
On the April 5 episode of On3’s Andy & Ari, the duo dove into Ari’s top ten non-conference games—and one matchup sparked a deeper conversation. Well, when it came to discussing a certain national champion, Ari didn’t hold back. “It’s really hard to talk about this game, Andy, because if you’re not overly positive about a team that just won the national title, you come across as a hater. Or you’ll come across as you think they stink,” said Ari bluntly. However, here Andy followed up with his own sharp take, aiming directly at Buckeye Nation, stating, “I think Ohio State fans understand. I mean, I hope they do… but I think Ohio State fans understand very, very well what they lost.” Honestly, it’s raw, real, and straight from the source. This isn’t your typical preseason chatter.
And then came the surprising statement on Ryan Day. Here, Ari pulled no punches, stating, “I think Ohio State’s number one goal next year is to beat Michigan. Like, I don’t think that there’s anything else that they need to accomplish next year. After winning the national title last year, obviously they want to make the playoff and obviously they want to win 10 games—I’m sure they will—but they have to win 10 games and they have to beat Michigan next year.” So, forget the playoff, forget another title, because for Day and the Buckeyes, everything in 2025 boils down to one thing—beat Michigan.
However, the concern? It all stems from last year’s heartbreak—a 13-10 loss to Michigan. Yes, that one still stings in Columbus. And Ari put it plainly on the show, stating that the national title was great, but the rivalry still looms large.
“And then everything on top of that, I think, is gravy from my perspective. Obviously, you want to win the national title or compete for it. I’m sure they will. They’re very good. They’re very well-coached. Their roster’s stacked. But my number one concern—if I’m an Ohio State fan—is to end the Michigan losing streak and then move forward into the future with the ring that you won last year,” said the national analyst.
So, for Buckeye fans, the message is clear—beat Michigan, or the job’s not finished. And when it comes to Ryan Day’s 2025 outlook, there’s no need to overthink it. Look, last season’s national title run bought him plenty of grace. But forgiveness in Columbus doesn’t last forever. If Day can finally snap the Michigan losing streak, he’s golden. And that alone could secure his standing, no matter what happens in the CFP.
As of now, especially with the Wolverines expected to be strong again, a win over the rival would silence the doubters—and cement Day’s legacy. You can say, for Day, the road to CFP glory runs straight through Ann Arbor. And now, the verdict is in, and Ryan Day’s playoff fate is unveiled.
The CFP destiny of Ryan Day
As of April 2025, Ryan Day’s reign at OSU is nothing short of elite. He’s stacked up a 70–10 record, with a 6–4 mark in bowl games. Since taking over in 2019, he’s claimed B1G crowns in 2019 and 2020, plus Sugar and Rose Bowl wins. On top of that, in 2024, he brought home OSU’s first national title in a decade, topping Notre Dame 34–23. That run locked in a contract through 2031—because in Columbus, Coach Day is delivering dominance.
The OSU HC may be running the show in Columbus, but the road ahead is anything but smooth. Here, on the Andy & Ari show, the duo broke it down perfectly. Andy pointed out that OSU could lose to Texas early, only to meet them again in the playoff as a completely different squad. Although Ari agreed, confident the Buckeyes would make the playoff—but with a catch. And he made it clear: this isn’t about OSU falling off; it’s about how they stack up right now against the best in CFB. So, the bar is high—and the margin is razor thin.
But hold on, the playoff path may be clear, but the road to the title? That’s a different story. OSU’s post-championship era is already feeling the heat. Despite Ryan Day’s best efforts to reload, the locker room losses are piling up. The biggest blow? Jim Knowles—OSU’s defensive mastermind—left for PSU. Add to that the departure of 8 senior starters, and suddenly, the Buckeyes don’t look like the nation’s top defense anymore. Meanwhile, the Texas squad is loaded—with a top-15 run defense and an offense more than capable of giving OSU serious trouble.
Given the developments, let’s see if Ryan Day can take down the powerhouses and keep his legacy alive.
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