In Columbus, Ohio, the buzz is electric. The Ohio State Buckeyes and their coach, Ryan Day, are gearing up for a huge game next Monday. They’re taking on Notre Dame for the national title, which seemed like a far-off dream just last November. Back then, losing to Michigan on Thanksgiving weekend crushed their Big Ten hopes.
Now, they’re back with a shot at glory. A win against the Fighting Irish could set them up for long-term success and pretty much secure Day’s job. Plus, there’s the chance of being back-to-back champions. That’s a big deal.
Looking ahead to next season, Ohio State’s got something special brewing. They boast the fifth-best recruiting class in the country, with 22 players committed, according to 247 Sports. College football analyst **Brad Crawford** even ranks the Buckeyes as No. 2 in his early top-25 list for next season. Funny enough, the SEC’s Texas Longhorns, whom Ohio State beat 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl semifinal, hold the No. 1 spot.
Preseason rankings might not be the Buckeyes’ main focus, but it’s clear they’ve kept a high standard under Day. Except for four straight losses to Michigan, Day’s been crushing it, with a record of 69-10.
“There will be time to tell this story after the season, but the only way to tell that story is if we win,” Day said Sunday. “That’s the sobering reality.”
The expanded playoff format has also been a game-changer, according to Day. It’s sparked more success for his team.
“I think that’s really been the biggest thing that I’ve learned about this format, which I think has been great for our players,” Day said. “I think it’s great for college football.”
As for the upcoming game, Day knows his defense needs to step up. They’ve got to contain Notre Dame’s quarterback, *Riley Leonard*. It’s been tough to do all postseason.
“This is a very, very good team,” Day said. “They are a very resilient team. They play together. I think Riley Leonard is a tremendous leader and a tremendous player and a winner, and their coaching staff does a great job. Got a lot of respect for their players and their coaches. This is going to be a complete battle, and we know that. We’ve got to play our best game this season in the last one.”
Right now, Ohio State is an 8.5-point favorite. But those odds might shift as the game gets closer.
Can the Buckeyes pull it off? We’ll have to wait and see, but one thing’s for sure—it’ll be a game to remember.
