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Ohio State Football: Doubts about Ryan Day and Justin Fields unfounded

By Thomas Scurlock

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ryan Day looks on during the second half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ryan Day looks on during the second half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 15: Interim head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during The AdvoCare Showdown against the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 15: Interim head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during The AdvoCare Showdown against the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Doubt surrounding head coach Ryan Day

I am more amazed by this concern about the Buckeyes.

The way Ryan Day handled the interim tag last August and September clearly showed he has the chops to be Ohio State’s coach.

Besides having to lead the team through camp and the first three games, Day had to handle the daily barrage of questions concerning Urban Meyer and Zach Smith while keeping the team focused on the tasks at hand.

The pressure won’t be too great for him to handle.

Since he took over the program, coach Day landed the No. 14 recruiting class and Fields, is building another great class for 2020, hired proven assistants and had a successful spring.

Last season, his offense averaged 42.4 points-per-game without a dominant offensive line and running game. Both will be improved this year.

Given the state of the defense in 2018 it is amazing the team won 13 games, the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl.  The Buckeyes gave up 404.4 yards-per-game and 25.5 points.

Must read:  6 teams Buckeyes could face in the CFP

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Overhauling the defensive staff, except for Larry Johnson, was a critical move.  With 9 starters back, more depth and better coaching the defense will be much improved.

Dropping the scoring-per-game by a touchdown or more is realistic and that would put them back in the Top 15.

The only potential roadblock is the Big Ten schedule.

In a four-game stretch, the Buckeyes play at Nebraska, home against Michigan State, at Northwestern and home against Wisconsin. Then Ohio State finishes with Penn State and Michigan. That’s likely the top six teams in the conference outside of the Buckeyes.

dark. Next. How Justin Fields stacks up in QB shuffle

If Ryan Day wins the Big Ten, my prediction is he will earn the award no Ohio State coach has earned since 1979, Coach of the Year.

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