After back-to-back losses to TTUN, it was inevitable. CBS Sports released its rankings of Big Ten coaches with Ohio State’s Ryan Day falling to No. 2 in the polls. Of course, rankings of this sort are subject to varying opinions, but in this case, there really was no other path even if Buckeye Nation knows better.
Yes, Michigan has some bragging rights as of now. Captain Khakis has won the conference two years running and has gotten the better of the Buckeyes in recent years. However, the overall body of work keeps Day right there in the conversation.
Here’s what CBS Sports had to say about the OSU head coach.
The best indicator of Ryan Day’s success is that the Buckeyes went 11-2 last year, reached the College Football Playoff, and it hurt his standing among our voters. Seriously, the Buckeyes lost to Michigan and Georgia (two playoff teams!), and people are like “I don’t know, I think he’s lost his fastball, you guys.” Of course, that comes with the territory when you’re the Ohio State coach you’ve lost two straight to Michigan.”
Last year, even with the loss to the Wolverines, Day was able to hang on to the top spot. But two losses in a row to Michigan was too much to overcome. The good news is that Day has a really strong team coming back in the fall and can right the ship, although it won’t be easy with a return trip to Ann Arbor looming.
Rounding out the top five Big Ten coaches were, No. 3 Luke Fickell (Wisconsin), No. 4 James Franklin (Penn State), and No. 5 Bret Bielema (Illinois).
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