Is it time to worry? Ohio State’s season on the brink

If you're an Ohio State football fan like me, you're probably feeling a bit uneasy. After all, the Buckeyes' season has had its share of hiccups, and the pressure is mounting. But the question on everyone’s mind remains: should Ohio State fans panic? Let’s break it down.

Ryan Day's record in big games

Ryan Day’s tenure at Ohio State has seen remarkable success overall, but his record in top-5 matchups is concerning. With a 2-6 record against top-5 teams, the narrative is starting to shift. True, four of those losses came against a Michigan program that is now under scrutiny for a sign-stealing scandal, and the Georgia loss came down to a missed field goal in the College Football Playoff.

But in Columbus, moral victories don't count. The expectation is clear: you win big games. While Day has guided the Buckeyes to the brink of greatness, he has fallen short too many times when the stakes are highest.

For a program like Ohio State, whose standard is national championships, this is unsettling. And with the looming specter of another showdown against a top-five team in Penn State on Saturday, another Michigan game to end the year, and a potential Big Ten title run, the pressure on Day is more intense than ever. Can Day reverse the narrative, or is his tenure heading toward uncomfortable scrutiny?

One of the biggest causes for concern is the recent offensive struggles, particularly in the run game. Ohio State’s performance against Nebraska was jarring: just 64 yards rushing and a meager 2.1 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has had success this season, but the offensive line’s issues, especially following Josh Simmons’ injury against Oregon, have left fans worried.

Zen Michalski, filling in at left tackle, struggled mightily, and when he went down, the line became even more makeshift. Nebraska’s defense, while respectable, shouldn’t have been able to stymie an Ohio State offense with such talent at running back and receiver. And yet, Kelly seemed determined to force the run game, despite its inefficacy, as if preparing for future matchups rather than focusing on Nebraska.

To make matters worse, Ohio State's two elite wideouts, Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, saw only four targets each. Jeremiah Smith, considered one of the best young receivers in college football, was largely ignored for most of the second half. Why wasn’t the ball in his hands more, especially in a close game? Imagine if Nebraska had managed to score on their final drive—the post-game fallout would have been even more brutal than what we have already seen.

On the defensive side, there were some positives. The Buckeyes brought more pressure and showed more creativity against Nebraska, registering three sacks and 13 tackles for loss. This was a marked improvement from the Oregon game, where the defense had struggled to get to the quarterback.

But there’s a lingering issue with the defensive line rotation. Players like Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau played far too many snaps—Sawyer logged 64 and Tuimoloau 58—while backups like Kenyatta Jackson (15 snaps) and Caden Curry (9 snaps) barely saw the field against Nebraska.

This over-reliance on starters has already led to fatigue against Oregon, and the now heading into another top 5 matchup, could make their bodies even more weary than they were before. Nebraska’s offense wasn’t potent enough to fully exploit this, but future opponents might.

Additionally, while the defense generated more pressure, it also allowed too many big plays and open receivers. Nebraska’s quarterback missed opportunities that more skilled teams won’t. The defense looks improved, but is it good enough to carry the team if the offense continues to sputter?

What lies ahead for the Ohio State football team?

Every team faces challenges throughout the season. Even powerhouses like Georgia and Alabama have had their moments of vulnerability. But for Ohio State, the stakes are higher. The Buckeyes aren’t just expected to make the playoffs—they’re expected to win championships. And this year, the expectations feel particularly heavy. Day needs to beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and make a deep playoff run to quiet the doubters.

The pressure isn’t just external. Ohio State fans are starving for a championship. Many want to see Ryan Day succeed, to prove that he can win without controversy, and to reclaim the Buckeyes' place at the top of college football. But the clock is ticking, and Day knows it.

So, should Ohio State fans panic? Not yet, but there’s plenty of reason to be concerned. The offensive line issues are real, and Day’s track record in big games is under scrutiny. The defense is showing improvement and Ohio State did show they can remain calm in the 4th quarter and make plays on both offense and defense to win the game.

Yet, this is where we find ourselves. Five games left in the season for a team that looked to have all the talent in the world is now heading to Happy Valley for a game that not only feels like a must win for the season, but it feels like a must win for one man's career: Ryan Day. Because in Columbus, players and coaches come and go, but the expectations aren't going anywhere.