Kirk Herbstreit Names The Biggest Challenge For Ryan Day In 2024

The Ohio State Buckeyes have had sustained success in recent years, but not at the level they would have hoped. Last season, Ohio State lost a third consecutive game to Michigan and missed the College Football Playoff.

Kirk Herbstreit weighed in on what Ryan Day may have to face this season if things start slowly. The Buckeyes struggled with this last season after underperforming against the Indiana Hoosiers and Youngstown State Penguins.

At the beginning of the season, the team was in a transition period at quarterback and did not name a starter.

Herbstreit appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday and thought that Day's biggest challenge this season would be the expectations surrounding the team.

"You guys know how dangerous it is in Columbus, let alone the nation, when you're getting a lot of pats on the back. I think that'll probably be Ryan Day's biggest challenge. They might win a game 23-17, and instead of being happy, it's gonna be, 'Man, what's wrong with the quarterback? What's wrong with this? What's wrong with that? This team's supposed to be the best ever.'"

Eventually, Day and QB Kyle McCord figured things out, as Ohio State was undefeated heading into "The Game." However, Michigan ended up winning, ending Ohio State's chances of making the College Football Playoff.

Fast forward to this year, and Ohio State now has a different face at quarterback. Former Kansas State Wildcats QB Will Howard transferred to Columbus and is the expected starter. McCord is now with the Syracuse Orange.

Ohio State also added star transfers such as former Ole Miss Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins and former Alabama Crimson Tide safety Caleb Downs.

The last time Ohio State won a national championship was in 2015. The Buckeyes last played in the playoff in 2023 and missed a game-winning field goal against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Related: Kirk Herbstreit's Three-Word Response To Nick Saban's ESPY Speech Says It All