Former Ohio State standout names the one thing Ryan Day has to do this season or else he could be gone

Ohio State has big plans in 2024 and the expectations fall within what they always are; they need to beat Michigan and compete to win it all.

The Buckeyes have not done either lately, so the temperature is naturally a bit higher on that pressure. Combine it with the roster that Ryan Day was able to put together in Columbus and it is easy to see why Ohio State is a trendy pick to win it all.

One former standout for the Buckeyes believes that Day must take care of business in 2024, or it could be his last year running the program.

“I think they have to get it done, especially if Ryan Day still wants to be at Ohio State,” former running back Beanie Wells said of Ohio State needing to beat Michigan.

Last year’s loss to Michigan stopped the Buckeyes from reaching the College Football Playoff. While that game won’t dictate things as much with an expanded format, the expectation will still be the same and that is to beat Michigan.

“When you look at the fact that they lost three years in a row and not just losing those games, the way they lost. Michigan out-physical Ohio State and for so many years Ohio State prided themselves on being a physically dominant football team,” Wells explained.

Ohio State beat Michigan eight straight times before the three recent straight losses. Overall, the Buckeyes had beaten them 15 out of 16 times before the three-game losing streak.

With the roster that the Buckeyes have built and the off-season that Michigan went through with losing so much, it would be a real letdown for Ohio State to come up short in that game. If the Buckeyes were to come up short in the Michigan game and disappoint in the College Football Playoff, that hot seat could be on fire for Day.

Related: Former Michigan Heisman Trophy winner is already suggesting the replacement head coach for Ryan Day at Ohio State