Losing games is never ideal for Ohio State football fans. Even with playing a backup quarterback against USC, Buckeye fans were expecting to beat the Trojans. However, that did not happen. Luke Fahey wasn't the problem, but Ohio State still lost 30-18 in Los Angeles.
Ryan Day was the biggest problem. He clearly did not have his team ready to go, despite having two full weeks to figure out a game plan for this game. Fans were not happy with Day's time management in this game, and his reasoning for it drew the ire of fans on social media.
Ryan Day's reasoning for poor time management doesn't make sense
After the game, Day was asked why the offense was moving so slowly despite being down two scores against the Trojans in the second half. His answer made a lot of Ohio State football fans mad.
Ryan Day discussing Ohio State’s pace of play late in the game against USC: pic.twitter.com/ouTlh0JlyV
— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) November 1, 2026
"Once we were down by the two scores, we knew that we had to go. We didn't want to panic and just start going to that with a young quarterback. The game flipped just like that extremely fast."
So despite knowing that the offense needed to move faster, Day made the conscious decision not to move faster. How does that make any sense, even with a true freshman leading the team at quarterback? Fans were not happy with that answer, and they took to social media to lambaste Day.
It's not panic, doofus. It's showing urgency.
— JoeSports (@JoeKnowsSports) November 1, 2026
If he seriously believes they were ‘going fast’ on the drive at the 7:00 minute mark…. The problem is MUCH worse than I thought, much much worse. He’s literally delusional
— Mr_mitchellLee (@Mr_MitchellLee) November 1, 2026
It's clear that fans were not accepting Day's explanation for why the team wasn't moving faster. Quite frankly, the Buckeyes needed to get it in gear. With a young quarterback, that makes it all the more important to move quickly. He's likely going to make mistakes, so you need as much time as you can to make up for those mistakes.
The coaching staff might watch this Ohio State season slip away
This year began with the Buckeyes ranked as the preseason number-one team in both the AP and the Coaches Poll. Yet, this is a season that is on the verge of slipping away. Ohio State now has two losses on the season, and the margin of error is completely gone.
Another loss will keep the Buckeyes out of the College Football Playoff. Missing the CFP in the 12-team era would be an absolute catastrophe. This would be a collapse of epic proportions, even with having a backup quarterback having to finish the year.
The coaching staff did not have this team ready to go against. Trojan team that scored just seven points a week ago. Instead, it looked like the coaches just twiddled their thumbs during the bye week. That's especially true of Matt Patricia, as the defense got smoked.
Day continues to disregard special teams, and that is also a big reason why this team lost this game. Special teams cost them the game against Texas, as well. Punting has been a problem all year. Coverage on special teams has been a problem, too.
Saturday night was a complete failure from the coaches on staff. That's why fans are so angry with Day.
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