Ohio State Football: History working against Day to win natty in first year
There have been many great Ohio State football coaches throughout the years but none have won a national title their first season.
From Alexander Lilley to Urban Meyer, Ohio State’s history is filled with legendary coaches. Though most had celebrated careers, the common denominator among them was none of them won a national title in their first season.
Can Ryan Day do it? History is working against him.
Only three coaches have managed to win the title in their first season. Larry Coker at Miami in 2001, Dennis Erickson at Miami in 1989 and Bennie Oosterbaan at Michigan in 1948.
There have been many Ohio State coaches who have gotten close.
In 1979, Earle Bruce took his 11-0 team to the Rose Bowl and lost 17-16 to USC. That feat was impressive considering the Trojans had Anthony Munoz, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Bruce Matthews, Keith Van Horne and Ronnie Lott.
In 2012, Meyer was not eligible to play for the title due to sanctions from Tattoo Gate. But he guided the team to a 12-0 record knocking off Nebraska, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Michigan along the way.
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In 1899, John Eckstorm finished 9-0-1, but Harvard won the title with a 10-0-1 record. A.E. Hernstein went 8-1 in 1906 but Princeton won the title finishing 9-0-1.
Francis Schmidt went 7-1 in 1934. Unfortunately, Minnesota finished 8-0 winning its first title under the great Bernie Bierman.
Paul Brown’s first team went 6-1-1. The Golden Gophers went 8-0 to capture their fifth title in eight seasons.
In 1944, Carroll Widdoes finished 9-0 behind Les Horvath’s Heisman Trophy season. The accomplishment was not enough for the pollsters as Army was crowned champion after finishing 9-0 as well.
Standing in Day’s way is a difficult Big Ten schedule. The four-game stretch against Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern and Wisconsin while ending with Penn State and Michigan make the path to the Big Ten Championship and perhaps a CFP spot quite challenging.
Next. Comparing careers of Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel. dark
Day has the talent and supporting coaches to do it. If he does, it might be the greatest season ever for the program.