No, Ryan Day didn’t sound scared at Tuesday’s press conference. He sounded respectful and realistic. He called Indiana’s defensive line one of the biggest challenges Ohio State will face all season, said everything starts up front, and also said last year’s 13-10 loss doesn’t matter this week. No. 4 Ohio State plays at No. 5 Indiana on Saturday at noon ET on FOX.
Fans heard “biggest challenge” and wondered if Day was rattled. Here’s what he actually said, why he said it, and what the Buckeyes need to do.
What Day Said on Tuesday
- On the defensive line: “Their defensive line is one of the biggest challenges we’ll have all season.” He added that it will be a huge challenge and that the staff has to have a great week of preparation.
- On where the game starts: “Everything’s going to start up front in this game.”
- On last year: He said nothing that happened before matters going in, that Indiana is a different team now, and that the Buckeyes must stay focused for 60 minutes.
- On Indiana’s experience: He credited coach Curt Cignetti and his staff, noting Indiana has many players with over 1,000 college snaps across all three phases.
- On the one-on-ones: Indiana forces you to win your individual battles, and Ohio State’s defensive backs have to win theirs against receivers Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker.
- On the quarterback: “This is where quarterbacks have to be tough,” Day said, adding that Julian Sayin must handle a hostile road environment.
- On situations: He said Indiana is as good as anybody in the country at winning the turnover battle, explosive plays, third down and the red zone.
Fear or Respect?
Nothing Day said suggests fear. Coaches praise good opponents all the time, and it’s also a way to keep players focused. He directly told reporters the Buckeyes can’t dwell on last year.
But the praise isn’t empty. It’s backed by evidence.
Why the Respect Is Earned
Last year’s film is the matchup. In the 13-10 Big Ten title game loss, Indiana sacked Sayin five times, and Ohio State finished with just 58 rushing yards. Eleven Warriors called the offensive line’s play the biggest factor in the loss.
Indiana’s front is deep. The Hoosiers had the second-most sacks in the FBS last season (46) and led the country in tackles for loss (129). This season, ends Stephen Daley and Tobi Osunsanmi have five sacks apiece, and tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino have combined for three more. Three of those four were part of last year’s title game unit.
Ohio State’s line has been uneven. Even with four of five starters back from last year, the line was mediocre in the first half of the season, and injuries haven’t helped. Ohio State hasn’t had a defensive line take over a game this year, but there have been some concerning signs.
Ohio State’s Offensive Line Plan
Day said Phillip Daniels, sidelined for four games, looks like he’ll be back, and he practiced fully Tuesday. The plan is for Daniels to start at right tackle with Gabe VanSickle moving back to guard. Day called VanSickle’s start at right tackle against Maryland a “tough ask,” but said he did a lot of good.
Day didn’t address Austin Siereveld’s status. He had called Siereveld day-to-day after the Maryland game. Indiana native Ian Moore is a new starter at left tackle, and Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman are back from last year’s line. Day said they have a plan in place.
Did Last Year’s Loss Mean Nothing?
This is where I’d push back a little. Day is right that the emotion of last year shouldn’t drive the game. But the loss isn’t meaningless as film. It showed how Indiana beats this offense, and the Hoosiers’ front is largely intact. Both things can be true: the result doesn’t matter, and the lessons do.
I agree with your read on the team. The Buckeyes have the talent. Jeremiah Smith is the Heisman favorite, and the offense has been scoring plenty. The question is whether they can handle pressure and stay clean.
What the Buckeyes Must Do
- Win the one-on-ones. Day’s message all week: win your matchups on both sides of the ball.
- Protect Sayin and stay composed. Sayin has said he’s improved at avoiding sacks, and he’ll need to prove it.
- Win the situations. Third down, red zone and turnovers decide games like this.
- Play clean for 60 minutes. No penalties, no pick-sixes.
My Take
Day isn’t scared. He’s doing what a good coach does: telling his team the truth about a great defensive line. Whether the Buckeyes answer it comes down to the offensive line, Sayin’s poise, and eliminating the mistakes from the Maryland game.
Do you think Ohio State’s line holds up?
