The Ohio State Buckeyes will be playing either the Miami Hurricanes or the TAMU Aggies at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, during the second round of the College Football Playoff on December 31. Heading into that game, OSU will have Ryan Day more involved with play-calling than usual because of the recruiting dead period this month.
Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy pointed out that this happened last year with Chip Kelly before the Buckeyes blasted the Tennessee Volunteers 42-17 at the "Shoe" in the CFP's first round, and then got revenge against the Oregon Ducks in a 41-21 Rose Bowl rout.
Murphy pointed out that Day and Brian Hartline, who was hired away by the USF Bulls, will have to collaborate and focus on how to be more efficient in red zone trips; this despite Hartline's new midweek commitments.
"The Scarlet and Gray need to improve at finishing drives if the team wants to make another Playoff run. Hartline, who flew to Tampa on Sunday to meet his new players and be officially introduced as the Bulls' new head coach, will be tasked with balancing preparation for his first offseason as a head coach and helping Ohio State win a national championship," Murphy wrote.
"Day's decision to take a more active role on offense isn't surprising. Last year, with veteran coach as the Buckeyes' offensive coordinator, Day became more involved during the postseason. Since recruiting quiets down after the early signing period and the transfer portal opens in early January, Day doesn't need to act as much like a CEO and can concentrate more on football and helping the Scarlet and Gray win games."
Half out-the-door Brian Hartline and prideful Ryan Day make for scary play-calling combo
There's a lot to be worried about regarding the Buckeyes' upcoming CFP title defense this December and January.
Hartline being unfocused and more distant from Julian Sayin and Co. is anxiety-inducing. Day's pride in play-calling, which famously destroyed Ohio State's chances in The Game in 2024 because he insisted on outrunning the Wolverines, and may have contributed to a malaise in their Big Ten Championship Game loss to the Indiana Hoosiers, since Hartline had already been named USF's head coach and was probably preoccupied, is nightmarish.
Hartline may already be questioning his play-calling abilities. If he's halfway out the door and looking forward to the other aspects as the Bulls' head coach, Day may be responsible for how things unfold during the postseason offensively.
Godspeed, Buckeye fans.